Sam Tomkins Announces Retirement

• Former Wigan Warriors player Sam Tomkins has announced he is to retire at the end of the 2023 Super League season.
• The Fullback played over 200 times for Wigan across two spells between 2008-2013 and 2016-2018.
• Winner of 3 Grand Finals, 2 Challenge Cups, 2 League Leaders Shields, 2 Man of Steel awards and a World Club Challenge.

Wigan Warriors would like to congratulate Sam Tomkins on an illustrious Rugby League career following the announcement of his intention to retire at the end of this season.

A product of the Wigan Warriors academy, Tomkins made his debut in 2008, scoring 5 tries against Whitehaven, going on to make 213 appearances in Cherry and White across two stints. In his time at the club, Tomkins posted over 950 points and played a pivotal role in Warrior’s success throughout the 2010’s, winning 3 Grand Finals (2010, 2013 and 2018), 2 Challenge Cups (2011 and 2013), 2 League Leaders Shield (2010 and 2012), a World Club Challenge (2017) and a Man of Steel award (2012).

Tomkins was signed by New Zealand Warriors in the NRL for a world-record fee in 2014, where he would stay for two seasons before returning to Wigan in 2016. He then joined Catalans Dragons in 2018, where he helped the French side to their first ever Grand Final in 2021, winning a second Man of Steel award in the process.

Former teammate Sean O’Loughlin said:

“A massive congratulations on the career you’ve had. Unbelievable career and unbelievably successful, it was fantastic being a part of that with you, playing alongside you and winning trophies with you. Got some great memories on and off the pitch, celebrations. You’ve left your mark on this club and others you’ve played at.

“I think the years you’ve had around those trophy eras, the influence you had on the team, the club and the game in general with how you played it, how you changed it, what you did as a player. You should be very proud and I wish you all the very best in the future. I’ll join you for a pint in the next few months and celebrate the good times.”

Ex-teammate Tommy Leuluai:

“Congratulations on an unbelievable career. It’s been an absolute pleasure to play alongside you. I’ve known you for a long time and become really good friends away from the game and I can’t speak highly enough of what you bring to a team. I’ve had some of my best memories playing alongside you. Some of the things you’ve been able to achieve, here, internationally and in the NRL is unbelievable.

“A young skinny kid coming into the game, coming out and scoring five tries on your debut – I think then everyone knew we had something special on our hands. All the things you’ve done I admire, but the one thing I can say from playing alongside you is your competitive spirit, you’re just winner. We always knew when we had you in our team, you’d pull ofs something special for us.”

Captain Liam Farrell said:

“I want to congratulate you on an outstanding career. In my opinion you’ll go down as one of the best players that Super League has ever had. You’ve cemented your legacy in the league and I’m proud to say we’ve grown up from being kids, playing in the same teams and we’ve had some great memories. Not only on the field winning Grand Finals and Challenge Cups, but off the field as well. We’ve made some outstanding memories, you’ve had a great career.”

Chief Executive Kris Radlinski:

“Sam will go down as one of the most iconic players of the Super League era. His highlights package will go down with the very best to have played in the competition. His talent is there for all to see but his fellow players and coaches will all comment about the competitor and team mate that he has been. When his name is on the team sheet, you know you have a chance.

“Over the years I have become very close to Sam the person and always enjoy being in his company. I have no doubt that he will rise to the challenge of the next part of his life with the same mindset that made part one so successful. He will be a loss to the playing field but hopefully a real asset to the running of the sport moving forward.”