Parts of this article (those related to in depth information since 2014) need to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2023) |
Sam Tomkins[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relatives | Joel Tomkins (brother) Logan Tomkins (brother) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1989-03-23)23 March 1989 (age 36) Milton Keynes, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 13 st 1 lb (83 kg)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback, Stand-off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 14 October 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sam Tomkins (born 23 March 1989) is a professionalrugby league analyst forSky Sports and former professional player, having finished his playing career withCatalans Dragons in theSuper League. He is also the Team Manager of theEngland national rugby league team, working in a "behind the scenes role" for head coachShaun Wane.[6]
Tomkins, a product of theWigan Warriors academy, played as afullback and occasionalstand-off, across two stints for the Warriors as well as his time at Catalans Dragons. In addition, he also played two seasons in theNRL forNew Zealand Warriors.
He is the two timeMan of Steel, earning the title in 2012 and 2021.
He won three Super League Grand Finals with theWigan Warriors in2010,2013, and2018, as well as two Challenge Cup finals in2011 and2013.
Tomkins was born on 23 March 1989 inMilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England.[7] Following the birth of Sam's older brotherJoel inWarrington, the family had moved to Milton Keynes due to his father's work.[8] In the early 1990s, his family returned to theNorth West, toChorley, where his younger brother Logan was born.[8] Tomkins' first experience of rugby league came when he was seven years old, after his father introduced both Sam and Joel to the Chorley Panthers ARLFC.[9]
By the time Tomkins was nine, both he and his older brother had moved from the Chorley Panthers and were becoming more involved with the amateurWigan St. Patrick's club, afeeder team for the professionalWigan club.[9][10] To aid their careers, the family decided to move the short distance from Chorley toWigan, and Tomkins remained playing at the club until his mid-teens.[9] Reflecting on Tomkins' time at Wigan St. Patrick's, Bill Atherton, the club's chairman, remarked that "you could see there was something special when Sam came up through the club. There has always been something different about him."[10] When he was aged twelve, he obtained a place on the Wigan Warriors scholarship scheme, and when he turned sixteen, Tomkins was offered a part-time contract for Wigan Warriors Youth Development club's academy.[9] By 2007, Tomkins was featuring regularly for the Wigan academy sides. That year, he featured in an under-18s win for theEngland Academy againstFrance Cadets; his early try helped establish an early England lead before he completed his brace in the second half after a sin-binning for a high tackle.[11] At the end of the year, Wigan rewarded Tomkins with a full-time contract, giving him the opportunity to train alongside players in the club's first team.[12]
When Wigan agreed to releasefive-eighthTrent Barrett from his contract, the club looked to find a long-term replacement. Tomkins was offered a one-year extension to his own contract, which would keep him at the club until the end of the 2010 season with another year optional.[citation needed] After signing the extension, Wigan head coachBrian Noble commented that Tomkins, along with Wigan teammateMark Flanagan, "both have the ability to make an impact in Super League in years to come."[13]
Trent is one of the world's best players at the moment. Just to play with him is an honour. You pick up so much off him and he's just a great player to play with. Joel was so supportive when I found out I was playing and really tipped me up on what to do – don't try and do too much, nothing silly. He's been a big help.
A pre-season unofficial friendly match provided Tomkins his first experience against top-flight opposition as he came off the bench duringLee Briers'testimonial match in a 22–30 defeat by theWarrington Wolves.[15] Noble followed this up by providing Tomkins, aged 19, with his first team début on 12 May againstWhitehaven in a fifth roundChallenge Cup match.[16] Tomkins became the first player in rugby league history to score five tries on his first-grade début, scoring his first three to complete ahat-trick within the first twelve minutes, as Wigan scored eighteen tries in total on the way to a 106–8 victory.[17]
Despite this,Thomas Leuluai replaced Tomkins for the team's next match against Warrington, meaning Tomkins would have to wait for hisSuper League début.[18] He played out the rest of the 2008 season in the reserves, some of his highlights including a hat-trick againstCastleford, and another five-try performance againstHarlequins RL.[19][20] After scoring four tries againstHull FC's reserves, Tomkins was tipped to make at least ten Super League appearances in 2009 season byShaun Wane, Wigan's reserve coach.[21] He also received an endorsement fromIan Lenagan, the club's chairman, when he said, "I think Sam is going to be a world-class half-back and we want to give him his chance."[22] Tomkins was named Reserve Team Player of the Year at the Wigan inaugural awards evening.[23]
In 2009 Tomkins was awarded the Albert Goldthorpe Rookie of the Year Medal.[24]
The club played Warrington over the 2008 Christmas holidays, as a pre-season friendly to Wigan's 2009 season. Tomkins claimed a hat-trick as the team swept aside a young and inexperienced Warrington side 44–4.[25] Tomkins also featured in the club's two other fixtures during the pre-season, firstly againstHuddersfield, and then againstLeigh.[26][27] For 2009, Tomkins was given the number 25 jersey.[28]
What they bring is an enthusiasm and energy to the squad, and some older players have fed off that. You look at Sam and he's a big threat. It is like, 'Gosh. Look at this kid, he just plays'. That raw energy spills over to other people because the youngsters are happy to be there. There aren't many veterans in the squad, it is a pretty young team. But they've sparked other people up and we've seen that against Harlequins and Bradford.
Wigan faced their worst start to a season since 1966 after losing their opening three matches.[30] Tomkins was brought into the squad and came off the bench against Harlequins for his league début during their fourth match of the season. Tomkins made a break early in the second half which allowedGeorge Carmont to claim the equalising try.[31] Tomkins tookTim Smith's starting place in the team for their next match againstBradford Bulls.[32] After scoring twice for abrace againstSalford, he earned his first league tries.[citation needed] He also scored in a fourth round cup match againstBarrow.[33] For the round 10 fixture againstCeltic Crusaders, Tomkins was relegated to the bench as Smith made his first start in eight games. However Tomkins came on as a substitute to score his second brace of the season.[34]
He also scored the final try of the match in Wigan's fifth round cup win overWakefield Trinity, and although he was found guilty on a charge of kicking out in the tackle against another player, he escaped a match ban.[35][36] With Smith expressing his desire to return home to Australia following the 2009 season, Tomkins was tipped by Lenagan as Wigan's long-term replacement at stand-off.[37] Tomkins was named in a train-on squad forEngland's friendlytest match againstFrance, although he did not play.[38] He was dropped in round 15 for Wigan's match against Salford, but returned off the bench and scored againstHull Kingston Rovers in round 18.[39][40] Tomkins played every game for Wigan thereafter, except for the final regular round fixture of the season against Huddersfield, until the team were knocked out of theSuper League play-offs bySt. Helens.[41] Included in this run of appearances was a hat-trick and Tomkins' first drop goal againstCastleford in round 25.
In the same year he made his league début, Tomkins was named in theSuper League Dream Team at stand-off, and was also voted by journalists in theRugby League Writers' Association as Super League Young Player of the Year.[42][43] At the Wigan's own awards evening, he was named Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.[44] Tomkins would go on to play for England during the2009 Four Nations. He ended the domestic season with twenty-seven first-grade appearances, twenty-three of which in the league, as well as fifteen tries.[2][45][46] In doing this, Tomkins had more than doubled the estimation of ten league games made by Wane during the previous season. He was given a five-year contract from the club.[citation needed]

Following the play-off loss to St. Helens, Noble announced his departure from the club after not being offered a new contract, and five days laterMichael Maguire was revealed as the new head coach of Wigan.[47][48] In Maguire's 2010 squad, Tomkins' position as Wigan's first choice stand-off was confirmed when he received the number 6 jersey from the departed Smith.[49] The club also signed Wigan-bornPaul Deacon during the pre-season, with the intention of having him mentor Tomkins in an assistant coaching role.[50]
Tomkins played in every match of Wigan's 2010 season. He started in three cup matches, scoring hat-tricks against theSheffield Eagles andWidnes.[2][46][51][52] He also featured in all of Wigan's fixtures of 2010'sSuper League XV regular season, with the team finishing top of the league table and winning theLeague Leader's Shield.[2][46][53][54] By virtue of this the team qualified for the play-offs, in which Tomkins made a further four appearances on the way to Wigan'sGrand Final victory over St. Helens—the club's first league title since 1998'sSuper League III, and Tomkins' first honour as a player.[2][46][53][55]
Tomkins was played at scrum-half for Wigan's round 12 fixture against Harlequins withSean O'Loughlin covering his position at stand-off instead.[56] In round 19, again against Harlequins, Tomkins marked his first league appearance as afullback with the game's first score and a try-saving tackle onLamont Bryan. TheDaily Mirror reported Maguire as saying, "Sam wanted a go at fullback and played very well. He's a quality kid in any position."[57] He remained in that position for the rest of the season, including the Grand Final, except for one match against Warrington in round 22 where he was reverted to stand-off again.[58]
Over 34 total appearances, Tomkins improved on his 2009 record with 21 tries and four goals.[2][46] In the league, he claimed four braces in total: once as a stand-off against Hull, and three times as a fullback against Salford, Hull again andLeeds.[59][60][61][62]
He also scored a try in the2010 Super League Grand Final victory overSt. Helens atOld Trafford.[63]
Despite finishing the season as Wigan's regular fullback, Tomkins maintained his place in the 2010Super League Dream Team in the stand-off position. Also in the team was Joel Tomkins atsecond-row. This was the first time a Super League Dream Team had featured two brothers.[64]
At 2010'sSuper League XV awards evening, where his Wigan teammatePat Richards was voted by his fellow Super League players asMan of Steel for having the biggest impact on the season, Tomkins retained his Young Player of the Year title.[65]
He also received 2010'sAlbert Goldthorpe Medal for 'best and fairest' player of the season. He was also named Rookie of the Year by theRugby League International Federation during the2010 Four Nations, in which he played for England.[66]
The previous season's transition to fullback was made permanent by the club when Tomkins inherited the number 1 jersey fromCameron Phelps, whose 2010 season was blighted by injury and was not offered a new contract.[67][68] With speculation that Tomkins might move to theNational Rugby League or switch codes torugby union, Wigan offered him a new five-year contract keeping him at the club until the end of the 2015 season.[69]

Tomkins made 34 appearances during the 2011 season: 28 inSuper League XVI, 5 in theChallenge Cup, and one in theWorld Club Challenge, in which he scored a drop goal in Wigan's 15–21 loss to theSt. George Illawarra Dragons.[2][46][70][71] Tomkins received a match ban in round 6, for joining a fight in the previous match against Hull, meaning that for the first time since the final regular round fixture against Huddersfield in 2009, he missed a first-grade match.[72][73] Due to his involvement for England in the inauguralInternational Origin against theExiles, he was also rested for Wigan's away game against Castleford.[74]
His scoring record in 2011 started in the opening round against St Helens in which he kicked a goal but missed a drop goal which would have won the game for Wigan.[75] His first try came during Wigan's next game at Bradford.[76] A match-tying penalty kicked by Tomkins salvaged a draw for Wigan against Leeds.[77] From 25 April to 4 June, Tomkins scored thirteen tries in seven games for Wigan, including braces against Crusaders and Harlequins in the league and Barrow in the cup, as well as a hat-trick against Hull Kingston Rovers.[78][79][80] He scored his second hat-trick of the season against Huddersfield, taking his career total to six.[81] In Wigan's fifth round cup win over Bradford,Gareth Raynor's high tackle left Tomkins unconscious as he was scoring a try, an incident which ended both Raynor's and Tomkins' involvement in the match due to asending-off, and a head injury respectively.[82] Despite missing part of Wigan's away match to Hull because of a shoulder injury, Tomkins returned from the bench and scored two tries in a 16–30 victory; after the match,Sky Sports reported that he had become a "strong favourite" for the season'sMan of Steel award.[83][84] He followed this up a week later with a try-scoring man of the match performance against St. Helens as Wigan won their first cup semi-final since 2004.[85][86] Wigan returned to league action with a win at home to Salford, with Tomkins scoring four tries.[citation needed] He scored another brace against Bradford in Wigan's last match before the Challenge Cup final.[87]
Tomkins played in that final as part of a victorious Wigan team, giving Tomkins his first Challenge Cup honour, althoughJeff Lima was given theLance Todd Trophy award which Tomkins had been pre-match favourite to win.[88][89][90] After the final, theRugby Football League investigated and found Tomkins guilty of anobscene gesture aimed at fans of the opposing Leeds team, for which he was given a suspended£1,000 fine.[91][92]
His points tally for Wigan's season totalled 32 tries, five goals, and one drop goal.[2][46][70] After the season, he signed a new contract to play for Wigan Warriors, shortly after his brother Joel had agreed to switch codes and playrugby union forSaracens F.C.[93] According toThe Guardian, the deal would make Sam Tomkins the highest paid player in Super League at £300,000 a year, and this ruled out the prospect of a cross-code transfer for at least three years.[93]

Tomkins scored 36 tries in 30 games for Wigan in 2012.
On 23 June 2013, theSydney Morning Herald published news of Tomkins impending departure from Wigan to join theNew Zealand Warriors of Australia'sNRL competition.[94] Further speculation regarding the move was sparked when Tomkins' mother was seen in Auckland in July looking at residential properties. On 24 September 2013, it was confirmed that Tomkins would join the Warriors on a three-year deal starting in 2014, signed for a world record fee.[95][96]
He played in the2013 Challenge Cup Final victory overHull F.C. atWembley Stadium.[97][98][99]
He played in the2013 Super League Grand Final victory over theWarrington Wolves atOld Trafford.[100][101][102][103][104]
Tomkins' first games for the Warriors were in the inauguralAuckland Nines tournament held during the 2014 NRL pre-season.His first official game came in the first round of the new NRL season against theParramatta Eels. The Warriors lost 36–16. In his second game, against theSt. George Illawarra Dragons, he scored a try in the Warriors' 31–12 loss. He scored his second try of the season in the Warriors' 42-18 thumping against theTigers in round 4 of the season.

He had his breakout game for the New Zealand club in the round 18 48–0 victory over theParramatta Eels. Tomkins scored two tries, one of which was directly from the lock position after a scrum win against the feed. The other of which, also from a scrum play, was down the short side where he broke four tackles in a fantastic individual effort. He also set up a brilliant try for captainSimon Mannering. In the first half, Tomkins recorded nine tackle breaks, a try assist, two line breaks, 84 running metres and two tries.[105] His first half performance truly put him on the map in theNational Rugby League after some debate previous to this game over whether he was worth the big money.
Tomkins presence at the Warriors saw long term club andNew Zealand national rugby league team fullbackKevin Locke out of favour and languishing in theNSW Cup side. As a consequence of Tomkins good form, Locke was released by the club mid-season so he could join English sideSalford.

The Warriors announced that Tomkins would leave the club at the end of 2015 due to injury and suffering from homesickness.[106]
Tomkins returned to Wigan after two seasons in the NRL withNew Zealand Warriors for £200,000 signing a four-year contract as their marquee player.[107] He underwent surgery on a posterior cruciate ligament injury in November 2015 ruling him out for the start of the 2016Super League season, however due to complications he did not appear for Wigan until 13 May at home againstHull FC. He went on to make 16 appearances scoring 7 tries before undergoing more knee surgery meaning he missed the start of the 2017 season.
Tomkins did not play forWigan until theChallenge Cup quarter final against theWarrington Wolves where it was his drop goal that won the tie for Wigan.[108] He quickly settled into the squad with two assists in his first twoSuper League games of the year before scoring a try againstCatalans Dragons in Round 21. He continued his good form with tries againstLeeds Rhinos andHuddersfield Giants.
He played in the2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat byHull F.C. atWembley Stadium.[109]
His fifth and last try of the season came againstCastleford Tigers in the 6th Round of the Super 8's.
After struggling with knee injuries for the previous two seasons, Tomkins was available to play in theSuper League from Round 1 againstSalford Red Devils. His only contribution in the first three games was an assist in the first game however he showed that he may be back to his best after a 65m run to score a try against theWidnes Vikings in Round 4. After catching aTom Gilmore kick on the full he beat three defenders to race away to score his first try of the season. In Round 5 he got four assists showing that he was back to his best in the fullback role but thriving when rotated into halfback whenMorgan Escaré came off the bench. Four assists and two tries followed in the next three games before a 45m drop goal won the game againstLeeds Rhinos in a tense 8-9 thriller. Two tries against Round 14 opponentsSalford Red Devils and one againstChallenge Cup opponentsHull Kingston Rovers preceded the news that he would be leaving to join theCatalans Dragons in 2019 which put an end to months of speculation.[110] Further tries againstWarrington Wolves at theDacia Magic Weekend in Newcastle,Castleford Tigers,Huddersfield Giants,St. Helens and future employersCatalans Dragons pushed his tally to 11 for the season. As the primary kicker in theWigan Warriors side he scored 95 goals from 127 attempts giving him an accuracy level of 75%, this along a relatively injury free year helped propelWigan Warriors to second on theSuper League table ensuring a home semi final against either theCastleford Tigers or theWarrington Wolves. The year was not without event however as in early June a video of Sam and brotherJoel emerged appearing to show the two being abusive towards bar staff at a local pub. For his part in the incident Sam was fined £5,000 however Joel who was the main culprit in the abusive rant was fined £10,000 and suspended before later being released.[111]
He played in the2018 Super League Grand Final victory over theWarrington Wolves atOld Trafford.[112]
Tomkins played 13 games forCatalans Dragons in the2020 Super League season including the 48-2 semi-final loss against St Helens.[113]
On 5 October 2021, Tomkins was awarded with theMan of Steel for his efforts with Catalans throughout the season. On 9 October 2021, Tomkins played for Catalans in their2021 Super League Grand Final loss against St. Helens.
In April 2022, Tomkins fractured hisfibula in theChallenge Cup quarterfinal againstSt Helens ruling him out for a minimum of four weeks.[114] In round 20, Tomkins kicked a drop goal to win the game for Catalans againstHuddersfield 13-12.[115]Tomkins played 21 games for Catalans in the 2022 Super League season including their elimination playoff loss toLeeds.[116]
In March 2023, Tomkins announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season, following issues with his knee after injuring it in 2022.[117] He delayed his decision to retire in order to play in the2021 World Cup.[118]
In the 2023 semi-final against St Helens, Tomkins scored the winning try with less than one minute remaining to take Catalans into the grand final and also end St Helens four-year dominance of the competition. On 14 October, Tomkins played in Catalans2023 Super League Grand Final loss againstWigan which was also his final game as a player.[119]
In July 2024, Tomkins announced a return to Catalans Dragons, coming out of retirement until the end of the season to aid the club's push for play-offs and a place in the Grand Final following "confidence" in his knee again.[120] Tomkins made his second debut for the club on 27 July 2024, scoring a try on his return from retirement in a 24–16 victory overHull F.C..[121] On his third game back againstHuddersfield Giants, Tomkins suffered a hamstring injury.[122]
On 4 October, Tomkins signed an extension for the2025 season.[123][124] Two months into the season, he announced his second retirement would come at the end of the season saying "this year is definitely my last". He had scored five tries in five appearances of the season at the tome of the announcement.[125] Tompkins has his contact terminated two months early by mutual consent seeing him retire in August. He finished his time at Catalans as their third all time points scorer.[126]
In the2008 World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand,England's campaign ended with a 32–22 loss toNew Zealand at the semi-final stage.[127] England responded to their exit from the tournament by replacing a number of veterans with younger players for the2009 Four Nations.[128] Tomkins, who was then playing atstand-off for Wigan, was included in a new-look squad which featured a quarter of its players aged 21 or below.[128]
In broken play, he is absolutely devastating. If the defensive line is not quite strong enough, he will absolutely rip you to shreds. He is a rising star in rugby league.
On 18 October 2009, having played less than thirty games for Wigan, Tomkins made his international début forTony Smith's England team againstWales atBrewery Field in a warm-up match for the Four Nations tournament.[129] The then-twenty-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 12–48 victory, withIestyn Harris, the Welsh head coach and formerdual-code rugby international, praising Tomkins' contribution to the winning England team.[129] Despite this, Tomkins was left out of the squad that facedFrance in the opening Four Nations fixture.[130] He replacedRichie Myler for England's defeat byAustralia at Wigan'sDW Stadium, with an impressedDarren Lockyer, the Australian captain, stating after the match, "To be honest, we didn't really know their young fellas. We do now."[131][132] With Smith showing confidence in the young half-back pairing betweenKyle Eastmond, and Tomkins, Tomkins maintained his place in the squad which won their must-win match against New Zealand for a place in the tournament final.[133][134] The hosting England side, playing atElland Road,Leeds, were overcome by Australia in the closing thirty minutes of the final despite leading 16–14 at one point, although the pairing between Eastmond and Tomkins was, according toSky Sports, impressive.[135]
Smith resigned as England coach following the Four Nations, withSteve McNamara announced as the team's new head coach.[136][137] Tomkins kept his place in the England team when they played France in a mid-season friendly, and he responded by scoring four tries on England's way to a 60–6 win, a record-equalling tally for an England player in a single match.[138] Tomkins appeared in all three of England's matches at the2010 Four Nations, firstly in a defeat by New Zealand where aKevin Brown try scored from a Tomkins kick was disallowed by the video referee due to Tomkins pushingGreg Eastwood in the process.[139] Another comprehensive defeat by Australia ended England's hopes of reaching the final, in a match where Tomkins made his first international switch from the halves tofullback.[140] He stayed in this position for England's final match againstPapua New Guinea, a 36–10 victory in whichTony Clubb equalled Tomkins' four-try record.[141]
Tomkins featured at full-back for the inauguralInternational Origin in 2011, which England lost thanks to Wigan teammateGeorge Carmont's 79th minute try for theExiles. Tomkins was booed by England supporters from opposing clubs within theHeadingley crowd atLeeds,[citation needed] an incident which was criticised as "disgraceful"[142] byJamie Peacock, the England captain andLeeds forward, however Wigan head coachMichael Maguire claimed Tomkins had not been affected by the abuse.[143] Following the completion of the rugby league domestic season, Tomkins was included in a pre-Four Nations test against France.[144] In England's opening match of the2011 Four Nations againstWales, he scored four tries, which for the second time in his international career equalled the record for the most tries by a player representing England.[145] After playing against Australia atWembley Stadium in a match which England ended the losing side, Tomkins scored a try against New Zealand.[146][147] England's victory over the Kiwis meant that for the second time in three years, Tomkins featured for England in a Four Nations final against Australia, although they ended runners-up to Australia after losing 8–30. Playing fullback, Tomkins had an unhappy night under the high ball atElland Road.[148]
Following the2014 Four Nations, Tomkins did not feature for England for the next few years. He was forced to withdraw from the Test series against New Zealand in 2015 due to injury,[149] and was not selected for the2017 Rugby League World Cup.[150] He was recalled to the England squad in 2018.[151]
He was selected inEngland 9s squad for the2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.[152]
In June 2021, he was named as England's new captain, following the retirement ofSean O'Loughlin.[153] He was selected for the2021 Rugby League World Cup, starting atfullback in four of England's five matches before their semi-final defeat againstSamoa.
In November 2011, Tomkins played atright wing, and scored a try for theBarbarians, a British-based invitationalrugby union side, against theAustralian Wallabies, although the Barbarians lost 11–60.[154][155] The match was Tomkins's first match of professional rugby union; Tomkins admitted that prior to training with the Barbarians he did not know what numbers were allocated to which position in rugby union.[155] On his first experience of the sport, Tomkins was quoted by theBBC as saying, "I am glad I have had the chance to play but I am still a professionalrugby league footballer."[155]
Following his 2023 retirement as a player, Tomkins joined theSky Sports match commentary team as an analyst for the 2024 season.[156] He continued his broadcasting work during his 2024 playing return.[120]
In September 2024, Tomkins was appointed Team Manager of theEngland national rugby league team - a "behind-the-scenes administrative role".[157]
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(January 2024) |
| Club | Season | Appearances | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wigan Warriors | 2008 | 1 | 5 | - | - | 20 |
| 2009 | 27 | 15 | - | 1 | 61 | |
| 2010 | 34 | 21 | 4 | - | 92 | |
| 2011 | 34 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 143 | |
| 2012 | 30 | 36 | 26 | - | 196 | |
| 2013 | 26 | 34 | - | - | 136 | |
| Total | 152 | 144 | 35 | 2 | 648 | |
| New Zealand Warriors | 2014 | 24 | 13 | - | - | 52 |
| 2015 | 13 | 1 | - | - | 4 | |
| Total | 37 | 14 | - | - | 56 | |
| Wigan Warriors | 2016 | 16 | 7 | - | - | 28 |
| 2017 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 26 | |
| 2018 | 30 | 12 | 100 | 6 | 254 | |
| Total | 61 | 24 | 102 | 8 | 308 | |
| Total | 250 | 182 | 137 | 10 | 1012 | |
Matches do not include friendly matches orInternational Origin matches as these are unofficial test matches.[158]

| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 October 2009 | Brewery Field,Bridgend, Wales | 12–48 | Win | Test match | |
| 2 | 31 October 2009 | DW Stadium,Wigan, England | 16–26 | Loss | 2009 Four Nations | |
| 3 | 7 November 2009 | Galpharm Stadium,Huddersfield, England | 20–12 | Win | 2009 Four Nations | |
| 4 | 14 November 2009 | Elland Road,Leeds, England | 16–46 | Loss | 2009 Four Nations | |
| 5 | 12 June 2010 | Leigh Sports Village,Leigh, England | 60–6 | Win | Test match | |
| 6 | 23 October 2010 | Westpac Stadium,Wellington, New Zealand | 24–10 | Loss | 2010 Four Nations | |
| 7 | 31 October 2010 | AAMI Park,Melbourne, Australia | 34–14 | Loss | 2010 Four Nations | |
| 8 | 6 November 2010 | Eden Park,Auckland, New Zealand | 36–10 | Win | 2010 Four Nations | |
| 9 | 21 October 2011 | Parc des Sports,Avignon, France | 18–32 | Win | Test match | |
| 10 | 29 October 2011 | Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, England | 42–4 | Win | 2011 Four Nations | |
| 11 | 5 November 2011 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 20–36 | Loss | 2011 Four Nations | |
| 12 | 12 November 2011 | KC Stadium,Hull, England | 28–6 | Win | 2011 Four Nations | |
| 13 | 19 November 2011 | Elland Road, Leeds, England | 8–30 | Loss | 2011 Four Nations | |
| 14 | 3 November 2012 | MS3 Craven Park, Hull, England | 44–6 | Win | 2012 Autumn International Series | |
| 15 | 11 November 2012 | Salford City Stadium,Salford, England | 48–4 | Win | 2012 Autumn International Series | |
| 16 | 26 October 2013 | Millennium Stadium,Cardiff, Wales | 20–28 | Loss | 2013 Rugby League World Cup | |
| 17 | 2 November 2013 | John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, England | 42–0 | Win | 2013 Rugby League World Cup | |
| 18 | 9 November 2013 | KC Stadium, Hull, England | 34–12 | Win | 2013 Rugby League World Cup | |
| 19 | 16 November 2013 | DW Stadium, Wigan, England | 34–6 | Win | 2013 Rugby League World Cup | |
| 20 | 23 November 2013 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 18–20 | Loss | 2013 Rugby League World Cup | |
| 21 | 25 October 2014 | Suncorp Stadium,Brisbane, Australia | 32–26 | Win | 2014 Four Nations | |
| 22 | 2 November 2014 | AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia | 16–12 | Loss | 2014 Four Nations | |
| 23 | 8 November 2014 | Forsyth Barr Stadium,Dunedin, New Zealand | 16–14 | Loss | 2014 Four Nations |
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 October 2009 | Brewery Field,Bridgend, Wales | 12–48 | Win | Test match | |
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | 12 June 2010 | Leigh Sports Village,Leigh, England | 60–6 | Win | Test match | |
| 5 | ||||||
| 6 | ||||||
| 7 | ||||||
| 8 | 29 October 2011 | Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, England | 42–4 | Win | 2011 Four Nations | |
| 9 | ||||||
| 10 | ||||||
| 11 | ||||||
| 12 | 12 November 2011 | KC Stadium,Hull, England | 28–6 | Win | 2011 Four Nations | |
| 13 | 3 November 2012 | MS3 Craven Park, Hull, England | 44–6 | Win | 2012 Autumn International Series | |
| 14 | ||||||
| 15 | 11 November 2012 | Salford City Stadium,Salford, England | 48–4 | Win | 2012 Autumn International Series | |
| 16 | ||||||
| 17 | 25 October 2014 | Suncorp Stadium,Brisbane, Australia | 32–26 | Win | 2014 Four Nations |