Shamed former England centre quits club over 'embarrassing' viral video, but finds new team

Former Saracens and England international Joel Tomkins has quit Rugby League side Wigan Warriors over a shameful video of the player which went viral.

The video shows Tomkins and his brother Sam refusing to leave a Wigan bar, before becoming verbally and physically abusive to staff.

Wigan fined Tomkins £10,000 and suspended him for four weeks over the incident.

Now the former union centre has left the club and joined fellow Super League side Hull KR on a deal until the end of next season.

“I’m sure everybody is aware of what’s gone on at Wigan and I accepted the punishment from them. I decided the best thing for all parties would be for me to leave”, the 31-year-old said.

“There were a few other Super League clubs interested as well as Rovers, but Tim (Sheens, the Hull KR coach) called me personally and really sold the club to me, both for the back end of this year and next season.”

“It has been embarrassing for me, there’s no doubt about that, and it’s a sad situation for me to leave Wigan in this way, but it’s also an opportunity to move to a club that’s on the rise.”

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When the video emerged Wigan released a statement at the time stating:

“Following a video appearing on social media over the weekend, Joel Tomkins has been stepped down immediately from team selection for 4 weeks.

“During this period further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident will take place, as will discussions regarding Joel’s long-term future at the Club. He has been fined £10,000.
Sam Tomkins has been fined £5,000.

Executive Director Kris Radlinski commented:

“I was pretty disgusted at the video that I saw on Saturday evening. Our players know and fully understand the role that they have to play within the community and to see two of our high profile, senior players behave in such a way, disappointed me greatly.

“They aren’t just role models for the young kids in the town, they’re role models for the younger players in the squad. It is impossible to put a strong culture in place if players you trust to drive those standards act in such a way.

“All players are allowed periods of downtime but know that they must act responsibly and in a manner fitting of a professional sportsman.

“Having spoken to both Joel and Sam this morning they both expressed shame and regret about their behaviour and the effects it has had on all of the individuals concerned. Both of them are fully aware that they have disrespected the Club and the town – and let themselves and their families down.”

“The Club will be making no further comment upon this matter until the full investigation has been completed.”

Tomkins won 3 caps for England during a brief stint in Rugby Union.