England boss Shaun Wane has discussed the international future of Sam Tomkins following the captain’s decision to retire at the end of the current campaign.
Tomkins, 34, has fallen victim to a knee injury that will see him hang up the boots at the end of 2023.
He has made just one appearance for Catalans so far this season, having represented England at last year’s World Cup on home soil, falling short against Samoa in the semi-finals for a place at Old Trafford.
England head coach Wane says that he will fly over to France ahead of their mid-season international in Warrington to speak to Tomkins and Catalans boss Steve McNamara.
The former Wigan and New Zealand Warriors full-back has won 29 official caps for England, having announced himself on the international scene with a hat-trick against Wales.
The full-back himself said he would never retire from international duty while still playing, but Wane admits that his plans now look ahead to the 2025 World Cup with a view of announcing a fresh squad ahead of April’s fixture against France.
“I’ve too much respect for Sam, I’ve known him since he was a kid and I will be having a deep conversation with him over the next few weeks,” Wane said on Tomkins’ international future.
“I know he has announced his retirement at the end of the year, so I’ll be going over to France to have a chat to Steve McNamara in the next few weeks and I’ll be sitting down with Sam then when I get over there.”
England to have new captain following Sam Tomkins decision?
Tomkins led England as captain last year during the World Cup campaign, having been appointed back in 2021 following the retirement to former Wigan team-mate Sean O’Loughlin.
But Wane remained tight-lipped about the future of the role, with England set to take on France on April 29 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The 58-year-old coach held his first press conference of the year on Wednesday, and did not confirm who would lead his side moving forward.
Wane said: “To be honest I’ve not even decided on a squad yet, so the captain is a lot more important to you guys than me.
“Sam did a great job in the World Cup and it will be someone of the same ilk as Sam. He will be working with us moving forward and will help with that as well.
“I will have some influence on that and I have some view points which I’ll keep private for when I speak to Sam, but 2025 is a fair way off and Sam is at the wrong side of 30 and he understands that, he’s smart.
“I’ll be having that personal chat with him when I see him.”
Could Tomkins play an off-field role?
Upon his retirement decision, announced live on Sky Sports, the two-time Man of Steel winner revealed that he will move into an off-field position with Catalans for 2024 and beyond.
Asked if he could see the same pathway with England for Tomkins, Wane responded: “I do. But I also see players like Chris Hill, there weren’t many better front-rowers than Chris Hill in the tournament.
“There’s other players, Kall Watkins played well and could’ve played better in the end, but in the rounds leading up to it he was fantastic so I’ll not forget that.
“Our players did a really good job and I don’t want to throw the young kids in a camp with me in the deep end.
“I want to make sure they are prepared and understand about sessions starting on time and the detail in which I’m very strict on.”
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