International Rugby
Tomkins committed to league
ESPNscrum Staff
November 24, 2011
Rugby league star Sam Tomkins prepares to face Australia on Saturday for the Barbarians, Latymer Upper School, London, England, November 23, 2011
Sam Tomkins enjoys his first training session in rugby union © Getty Images
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Rugby league star Sam Tomkins insists that he is not angling for a move to union by lining out for the Barbarians in this weekend's clash with Australia.

The 22-year-old's decision to an accept an invite from the Baa-Baas to play at Twickenham has prompted speculation that Tomkins is keen on following his brother Joel in switching codes, with his elder sibling having recently left Wigan for Saracens. However, Tomkins insists that he has no plans to walk out on the Warriors any time soon.

"This is just a one-off opportunity for me," he told Sky Sports News. "It's not a job interview, it's not me trying to get with a union club.

"I'll be straight back to Wigan as soon as the games finished and I'm there for another three years so there's no question of that. It's just an opportunity that I felt that I really couldn't miss."

However, Tomkins did admit that he might be open to a switch to the 15-man game when his existing deal with Wigan expires. "Maybe, in a few years' time. But until then certainly not."

Indeed, Tomkins admitted after his first training session with the Barbarians that he is not yet ready to take union by storm.

"I'm as raw as you can get," he said. "It's alright, you know I think there's a lot of differences, obviously with the ruck and mauls, but I won't be getting involved in to many of those I hope. But there's loads of similarities and hopefully with the ball in hand it's very similar."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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