Union selection of Tomkins reflects well on rugby league

The Wigan and England full-back will make a guest appearance for a star-studded Barbarians team against the Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday, just a week after playing for England against the Kangaroos in the final of the 2011 Gillette Four Nations.Tomkins’s one-off selection was given the go-ahead by Wigan, with whom he signed an extended five-year contract earlier this month.

“I’m sure Sam will be successful on Saturday when he plays his first match in an unfamiliar code because he’s a hugely talented rugby league player, one of many our sport is producing,” said Wood.

“Rugby league has an outstanding track record in developing its own players and is continuing to show union the way ahead. Sam’s inclusion in a sport he knows little about is proof of that.

“You only have to look at how often union has turned to rugby league players and coaches over the last 15 years to see the calibre of talent that we have in our midst.

“It’s obvious to even the most casual of observers why union continues to covet rugby league players whose sheer athleticism and outstanding skills with ball in hand make them extremely attractive to the other code of rugby.

“Sam’s selection underlines that imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. Both Sam and rugby league should feel flattered.”

The RFU were yesterday offered some respite from the chaos that has engulfed Twickenham by posting a record financial performance of £8.7m profit.

Revenue for the year from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, increased by £24.3m from £112m to £136.3m. Operating profit for the year was £40.6m, an increase of £14.8m on the profit of £25.8m recorded for 2009-10. The retained profit for the year was £8.7m compared to a retained loss of £1.1m in 2009-10.

The growth is mainly driven by the match programme with increases also witnessed in most other revenue streams, especially broadcasting, sponsorship and hospitality.

“In a year which presented many challenges, this is a significant achievement,” said acting chief executive Martyn Thomas.

“The RFU’s record revenues mean that the game benefits because although the union works to maximise profits, unlike a PLC we then invest this in the sport.

“These results put us in a very strong position for the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 which will bring a unique opportunity to grow the game nationwide.”