Jon Wilkin makes bold assessment about Sam Tomkins’ career

Sam Tomkins is set to retire at the end of the 2023 Super League season.

The England captain, who arrived at the French club in 2019, will hang up his boots after 16 seasons as a Rugby League professional

But the Catalans Dragons player will stay at the club, joining the Dragons Staff after the 2023 season in a generic role that will develop over the next few years. He will be involved in the recruitment process and will help the Dragons in a marketing and ambassador capacity, by attending certain meetings and functions for the Club. Occasionally he will help the Coaching Staff with position specific training and skills. He will also have a vital role in educating the Dragons young professionals and ensuring the strong club culture evolves.

Having progressed through the Wigan Youth Development System, Sam Tomkins won three Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cup Finals and two League Leaders Trophies with the Cherry and Whites. Named Super League Young Player of the Year award twice in 2009 and 2010, he then featured in five successive Super League Dream Team’s and was the 2012 Man of Steel. Tomkins scored 158 tries in 186 games for Wigan.

He left his hometown club to join the NRL and the New Zealand Warriors in 2014, scoring 14 tries in 37 NRL games before returning to Wigan after two seasons Down Under.

He joined the Dragons in 2019. Named in the 2021 Dream Team, he has also been named Man of Steel and won the League Leaders Shield with the club. He scored 28 tries and 382 points in 83 games with the Dragons since his arrival at the club.

Captain of the England team, he represented his country on 29 occasions, scoring 18 tries.

Speaking after the shock news on Sky Sports, Jon Wilkin had a big say about Sam Tomkins’ career and legacy:

“One of the greats, one of the greats of our game. The measure of Sam, is the last five years. Since he went to Catalans and his contribution to the club and the way he has immersed himself into the culture of France for me speaks volumes about his dedication to his craft.

“He just gave a monologue in French to show just how much he has really brought into it.

“He is a legend of the game, he has tortured me and a lot of the tries he scored broke my heart.”