Saracens and Wigan announce cross-code link up

[TRF_Cymro]

Wigan and Saracens have announced a ground-breaking partnership to share players and resources as well as face each other in a cross-code match.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15625448.stm
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[Saintjay]

I remember when Bath did the cross code games, good times they got thumped at League.

 

[m0rris]

There's something special going on here....

 

[HowieLO6]

Cracking deal, especially for Sarries.

Seen the older of the two brothers ply a handful of times, a real talent. Never seen him kick, but definitely the handling to work nicely at 12 or 13.

That said, when someone comes in, tends to mean that the writing is on the wall for someone....ideas as to who might be on their way out?!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Cracking deal ONLY for Sarries, all Wigan will get is any talented youngsters tempted away by Sarries bigger cheque book

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

 

[gingergenius]

well i suppose the deal does no harm. I've always said young centres should go and play league for a year to help their skill set, if this happens for Sarries then it might be an innovative idea.

Also, Wigan's academy is outstanding, the thinking will be that if they can get them young (like Ashton) there might be a few useful converts in the future.

 

[m0rris]

well i suppose the deal does no harm. I've always said young centres should go and play league for a year to help their skill set, if this happens for Sarries then it might be an innovative idea.

A very valid point, some of the ball skills shown in league make union look awful in comparision.

If I was a Wigan fan I would be more worried than interested since sarries are able to buy anything they want and with the upcoming Marquee player rule and increase in the salary cap things could get interesting. I wonder how Tompkins and Kyle Eastmond will fare.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

On Eastmond: any word on when he'll make his debut?
Presumably it'll be in the A-League first rather than full on Prem (or maybe LV=?)
Do you know what position he'll be playing?

 

[m0rris]

He is starting training soon and has just recovered from a groin injury. Not sure when he'll put his first game in but it should be soon for the A league, that said for some unbeknown reason we've gone and named him in our Heineken broader squad despite the fact that he won't have played his first serious union game by the time we are out.

As for position, McGeechan is on record as saying he thinks he will start out at 15 and play a bit of time on the wings with a view to making him a centre in the long run. Probably all plucked out of the air at the time of asking though since I doubt McGeechan plays on staying much longer and I doubt we'll stick with that. Personally it looks to me like he would bst start off in the back three but poossibly move to half back should he get to grips with the game well enough.

 

[Teh Mite]

Oh good, more inter code fumbling around.

 

[Owen79]

I have no idea what Wigan are actually getting out of this deal, but hey-ho. I believe Joel Tomkins is due to make his debut for Saracens Storm (silly name for the A-side) on Monday against Bath A.

 

[jeffb]

Probably, big names for sponsorship.

 

[Owen79]

Yeah, you're probably right mate. There must be something in it for them!