Tomkins: “Wigan Rugby was the biggest part of my life.”

Sam Tomkins, as always, spoke very highly on his time in a cherry and white jersey as he prepares to face off against Wigan Warriors one last time in the ‘big dance’.

After an unbelievable career in Rugby League, Sam Tomkins will play his final eighty minute of the sport he loves on the grandest of stages with two of his beloved clubs locking horns for one last time in 2023.

Tomkins has endured injury hell this year, but has battled through and continued to reap the rewards for hard graft along the way, the try against Saints to put his side in this very position being a real highlight.

And whilst preparing to face his boyhood club, the former ‘Wiganer’ once again spoke highly of the cherry and whites as he has done every time the two sides have been set to face off.

Tomkins said: “It’s funny having such close friends on the other side of the fence. I’ve played against Wigan many times over the past five years, just never in a final so I’m used to it and after the final hooter we’ll all be friends again but for 80 minutes, we’re competitors and we play the sport to win.

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“We’ll battle and then we’ll be friends again and that’s the amazing thing about Rugby League.

“Wigan Rugby was the biggest part of my life from 12 years old. From playing in the Wigan town team, I was lucky enough to play in the academy and then you’re looking at your first Super League game.

“When I achieved that, then the goals changed but Wigan are a huge part of my game and who I am as a person. I played a large part of my Rugby in a cherry and white jersey so I’m massively thankful to the club for the opportunity.”

The full-back has never hid his love for the club where he grew up and has special tattoos to keep those special memories whilst not ruling out a Catalan mark to add to the collection.

He added: “The first one was to mark the 2010 (Grand Final), I’ve got three to mark the three grand finals.

“But why not? (Get a Catalan one) – I’m going to look like a colouring book so I may as well! I’ve not decided what I’ll get yet but I’m sure I will.”