A ridiculous comment !



And what happens if Sam has a 'stinker' at Wembley ?



Some of us where there when we got turned over by Sheffield.

Whilst this is true it's a bit naughty of the club to suggest he's playing all week (to drum up ticket sales) then withdraw him hours from the game.



24hr food poisoning one week then a last minute back spasm the week after.

Wrapping him in cotton wool... It's not like he has a bad injury record, plus he needs game time before wembley something stinks about the whole situation and the lies the club are spinning with regards to why he isn't playing are nothing short of insulting to us as fans IMO.

This is bang on. I can't believe people think Sam is picking when to play? It's gotta be down to SW surely?

I have a theory on Tomkins. As far as we believe he is off to NZ at the end of the season and we don't have a replacement. This means one of the current squad has to play FB next year. You can put forward a case as to who you prefer, it seems Hampshire is the chosen one. If he is to play as first choice next year he needs game time this year. It wouldn't surprise me if Sam only plays the CC final and any play off games, ie the only ones that really matter to give Hampshire as much game time as possible.

Nail on head, nail right on the head.



Tomkins isn't being wrapped in cotton wool, he's being rested to give next years 'cheap' replacement a few games. They had Tomkins tied to a 5 year deal which in truth was a 3 year deal but they're not even putting up a fight to keep him to that. They're happy to cash in whilst they can without even having a proper replacement tied up.



It's simply not fair on Hampshire IMO who's a young halfback being asked to try and replace one of our all time greats in the team but at fullback.

Maybe you have a point.



But also due to the fact that Sam produces the goods DESPITE the half backs, not on account of them.



Hampshire cannot do that.

And how can we expect him to considering he's a halfback.



He looks a creative 6 or 7 to me not a running fullback in the mould of Tomkins.

I'm not blaming the kid.

Nobody could IMO. He's done as good a job as he could be expected to IMO and looks a real talent.



He's being dealt a raw hand though IMO.

The reason Tomkins isnt playing is because we now have a very small chance of getting Anthony Minichello to replace Sam next year.

There is no other option at the minute than Hampshire or Tierney. Waney keeps playing Hampshire because he obviously thinks he has the biggest potential to replace Sam at FB. The thing is Wanes doing this at the wrong time in the season.

Is this an opinion or a fact? Just playing Devils advocate cuz I don't know?

Hampshire has done far better since coming in than any of us could have realistically expected.