Joel Tomkins took pay cut to return to Wigan

Correspondent

Wigan backrower Joel Tomkins has admitted that he took a salary cap to return ‘home’ from rugby union club Saracens.

But it was never about the money, according to the 27-year-old, who does not regret the move, but is glad to be back in league.

“Obviously the salary cap in rugby union is bigger so the wages are bigger but my motivation in moving to rugby union was never financial,” Tomkins said.

“I wanted to try something different and I’m glad I did it. I’ve had some good experiences.”

Tomkins is also relishing the opportunity to work with Shaun Wane again, after playing under the coach during his junior years.

“I left the club on really good terms,” he said.

“Me and (chairman) Ian (Lenagan) always said, if the time is right, there would be an opportunity to come back and the time feels right now.

“The top and bottom of it is that I feel I am a better rugby league player than I am a rugby union player. I enjoy playing rugby league more than rugby union.

“I’m 27 now and I feel I have a lot more to give still to the game and to this club. It’s about repaying the club now for the confidence they’ve shown in me.

“It’s the best rugby club in the world. One of my main regrets when I left was that I never got to play under Shaun in the first team. I’ve been with Shaun since I was 13 and it will be nice to work with him in the first team.

“All the family are really chuffed. We’ve got our first baby on the way so it’s quite an exciting time for us off the field as well as on. I’m just looking forward to getting back it.”