It has been confirmed by the RFL to Serious About Rugby League that ex-England captain Sam Tomkins will be part of the coaching team and set-up to support Andy Last and the team at the “personal request” of Shaun Wane.
Sam Tomkins was the chosen captain under Shaun Wane for the World Cup in 2022 with the two having had a strong history given their Wigan connection, and now at the request of Wane, Tomkins has stepped into camp to support Andy Last.
That’s in part due to the fact that Wane hasn’t actually travelled to Toulouse for today’s game after undergoing an operation on Tuesday evening, a day before England began their camp at Wigan’s Robin Park.
It’s been confirmed by the RFL that Wane is recovering well and in good health after an ankle operation but it has meant that it’s down to assistant Andy Last to lead the team in France, hence the decision to give him the supporting ear and voice of the former England captain.
Many of the squad will have played under Tomkins as captain for England and those who haven’t, including six possible debutants, will have either played against him or grown up idolising him, making him a savvy secondary to have in camp.
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England confirm Sam Tomkins to join coaching set-up
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Sam Tomkins isn’t just a perfect man to have in camp given his incredible career in an England shirt and the insight he can offer to the squad for the game, but also for the fact he’s fluent in French after spending the end of his career in Perpignan playing for Catalans Dragons.
In fact, Tomkins still remains an ambassador for the club and has a role within the set-up for Steve McNamara’s side and with France selecting 13 players from the Dragons, it means he will have plenty of insight into the French side.
An RFL spokesman confirmed to Serious About Rugby League that Tomkins had linked up with the squad as they shared the following statement.
“We are delighted to welcome Sam Tomkins into the England set up once more, and thank him for stepping in at such short notice – in response to a personal request from Shaun Wane and Andy Last – to support Last and the rest of the squad.”
With kick-off now less than six hours away and the planning and prep having been done during the week, there may be little that Sam Tomkins can influence in terms of tactics but having a former England captain and two-time Man of Steel winner in a dressing room will be a source of inspiration for the six possible debutants and the rest of the squad.
We’ve predicted what the team could look like today whilst there is also information here on how to watch the game.
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