Sam Tomkins lived the dream at Wigan Warriors. A product of their academy that went on to win three Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, two League Leaders Shields, and a World Club Challenge across 213 appearances and two stints at his boyhood club. Legacy cemented.
However, he is a part of a new project now at the Catalan Dragons, aiming to launch a rugby dynasty in France and deliver them their first Grand Final win.
This Saturday, in the twilight of his career, he has the chance to do just that and make history.
The only team standing between him and ending his career on top, Wigan Warriors. The club that launched his career.
Sam Tomkins acknowledged the fact that he “couldn’t have written an ending like this” to his career but says the fact he is playing against Wigan won’t change his desire to win.
“I couldn’t have written an ending like this, to play against a club that was a huge part of my life for a long, long time. A lot of friends at the club still, a club that means a lot to me but on Saturday I just want to win.
They’ll be no time for looking over at friends and thinking of the good old days at Wigan. I’m a Catalan Dragon, I have been for five years now, a club I’m very proud to represent. My goal is firmly on lifting that trophy.”
Tomkins admitted that, despite his three Grand Final wins with the Warriors, a win with the Dragons on Saturday would be the most meaningful of his illustrious 15-year career.
“I think this will mean the most, just because it’s my last game and as athletes, you do it to win, we’re competitors.
I want to finish and my last ever memory of lacing up my boots are with a win.” Tomkins said.
‘we’re still new kids on the block’
Tomkins also explained how significant it would be to be apart of the first ever Catalan Dragons team to win the Grand Final.
“I think it’d be massive just because it’s the first ever Grand Final win for Catalan if we can get it done. We played here in 2021 in a final which was a huge step for the club, but we didn’t get the job done, we lost by two points. That’s why it’s so special.
I think for me, to be part of the first ever side to win a Grand Final for Catalan Dragons would be massive, we’re a very unique team, the only French team.
There’s a lot of people back in France who are passionate about rugby league, and they’ve not had much success in terms of Grand Finals because we’re a very young club.
Wigan are 150 years old, we’re 17 years old so we’re still new kids on the block really but I think it’s time for us to have some success and some silverware.”
