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Rugby league star Sam Tomkins keen to switch codes in time for 2015 World Cup

Wigan Warriors rugby league star Sam Tomkins keen to switch codes in time for 2015 World Cup
Sam Tomkins, the Wigan Warriors and Great Britain rugby league player, has revealed he would consider switching codes to play rugby union for England in time for the 2015 World Cup.Tomkins, whose try for Wigan helped seal the club’s 16-0 victory over Hull in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on Aug 24, has been linked to a £1  million, two-year move to NRL side New Zealand Warriors after the rugby league World Cup in England in October.
The 24-year-old full-back, the reigning Super League’s Man of Steel, insisted on Wednesday however that he had not signed a contract to join the Auckland-based franchise.
And while his focus is on trying to help Wigan win the Grand Final and England the rugby league World Cup, he is also keen to follow his brother and former team-mate Joel, the Saracens and England Saxons centre, into rugby union at some stage.
“I am not one of these people who is all about league and says union is rubbish,” said Tomkins, who was at Saracens’ ground at Allianz Park on Wednesday as the new ambassador for Shock Doctor, the sports protection range.
“Seeing England play at Twickenham in front of tens of thousands of people, that is what would do it for me."The international scene in rurgby union would be what I would want to get into at some point if I could.”
Asked if a switch of codes might come in time for him to be considered for the 2015 World Cup in England, Tomkins said: “It would be nice. I would never say never if the opportunity came up.
"To be involved in any World Cup would be amazing so to get into a union one at some point would be amazing. I have not made any plans for the next two years.”
Tomkins, a close friend of Bath’s former rugby league player, Kyle Eastmond, who has been fast-tracked into the England’s elite player squad, has already sampled the 15-a-side game, scoring a try for the Barbarians against Australia at Twickenham in 2011.
There has been no contact from England head coach Stuart Lancaster, with Tomkins adding: "I have never spoken to him (Lancaster) and I think it would be a bit down the line yet if I was to.”
However, Tomkins’ interest in switching is likely to spark interest at the Rugby Football Union, given the massive impact former rugby league players such as Jason Robinson and Chris Ashton have made with the national side.
Tomkins believes his best position in the 15-a-side game would be full-back or fly-half, but he would not be keen to return to the wing, where he played union for the Baa-Baas.
“I am not tunnel-visioned enough to think I am going to be playing rugby league in England for ever,” Tomkins added.
“I don’t think that will happen. I enjoy watching rugby union so I don’t see why I won’t enjoy playing it.
“The feedback from Joel is all positive. He loves it and the lifestyle down here.
"How players get looked after in union off the field far outweighs league by 10 times.”

The Telegraphy 
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