Wane thought Tomkins bid was a joke

Wigan coach Shaun Wane says he thought chairman Ian Lenagan was joking when he was told of Salford’s bid for superstar full-back Sam Tomkins.

News broke over the weekend that Reds owner Dr Marwan Koukash wanted to sign the England full-back.

Head Coach Wane said: “(Wigan chairman) Ian Lenagan mentioned it to me after the London Broncos game on Sunday and I burst out laughing. I thought he was joking. It was genuine they weren’t playing games.

“I’m really pleased Salford have got an owner who’s willing to put his hands in his pocket and make a genuine bid for one of the best players in the competition, but it was never going to happen.

“Sam is our best player, I want to do things this year and I’ll do them a lot better with Sam in our team.”

Ambitious Koukash has also enquired about the services of Adrian Morley and Castleford’s Rangi Chase.