Joel Tomkins confident brother Sam will play in Grand Final
Sam Tomkins is confident he will play in the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, according to his brother Joel.
Sam missed their semi-final win over Hull KR last week with a knee injury. However, Joel expects to line up alongside his brother at Old Trafford this weekend.
“He was touch and go for the semi-final but I think he’s pretty confident he’ll be playing this weekend,” Joel said.
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Tomkins is hoping the Dragons can draw on the support of the neutrals against St Helens, particularly those from his old club.
The neutrals got behind the Dragons during their remarkable fightback against Saints at the Magic Weekend. And Tomkins, who will be playing his last match for the French club ahead of his move to relegated Leigh, is hoping for more of the same.
“The atmosphere for our semi-final was one of the best I’ve ever played in, including finals,” said Tomkins, one of five ex-Wigan players in the Catalans squad. “It was outstanding what the fans did.
“Logistically, it’s going to be difficult for them to travel in the same numbers this week so I’m really hoping that maybe the neutrals – the Wigan fans and the other fans in Super League – might get behind us at Old Trafford.”
Grand Final win would boost French rugby league, says Joel Tomkins
Tomkins, 34, says the sport in the south of France is in good health and a first Super League title would lift the profile to new heights.
“It kind of reminds me of 2010 when we went there with Wigan because the club hadn’t been there for so long and were desperate for some silverware,” he said.
“Although the Dragons won the Challenge Cup a few years back, this is a different beast.
“I was surprised at the turnout and the atmosphere at the semi-final but it shows the appetite there is for rugby league in this region.
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“Every town and every village has a rugby league club, it’s very similar to the north-west of England with Wigan and St Helens.
“Winning a Grand Final would hopefully be a kickstart to the club going on even further. There’s the potential of Toulouse getting into Super League, rugby league in France is in a good spot at the minute.”