Looks like there is now special dispensation for marquee players to prevent player drain to NRL & RU.



Tomkins signs a massive contract that makes him highest paid RL player, but RFL have amended the salary cap to allow the signing:



[iWigan chairman Ian Lenagan has revealed the club have taken advantage of amendments to the league’s salary cap to help keep Tomkins in the game.



The Rugby Football League are sticking with a £1.7million ceiling but clubs are to be given permission to make allowances for long-serving, marquee and home-grown players in an effort to prevent a drain of talent to Australia and the 15-man code[/i



Will Saints make use of this special dispensation?

It's an absolute effing joke. How are they sticking with a £1,7m ceiling if they are giving 'allowances' for certain players?



It just means they are increasing the cap. Clubs cannot afford to do so.

Wonder how many marquee signings Wires can make before the start of next season?



Also begs the question, why were Saints not allowed to do this to keep Kyle Eastmond in RL?

One presumes it will only be one. But what will happen now is that Wigan have this exemption for Tomkins, they will then go and announce other signings as well. Signings they could have foregone in order to stay under the cap.

Until we know exactly how much this dispensation will be we cant really coment on it.

Because Wigan own the RFL. Sorry I couldn't help myself.

I pm you few weeks about this. I told you it was true.



It will be interesting to see what changes will be made and if the RFL went with any of the proposals Wigan put forward.



I think Wigan need a big pat on the back in the first step of keeping players in rugby league and super league.

Any 'proper' league fan will be made up Sam Tomkins is staying in superleague regardless of which club it's at.



It's a real shame it's come a bit too late to save Eastmond but better late then never. In truth I don't think Eastmond is suited to Union anyway and will be back in League in 2 or 3 years anyway.

It's not Tomkins I have a problem with. But you can guarantee that Wigan will announce further signings made possible by this change. The Sun today says they're in the process of signing an NRL centre. That's not right. If Sam takes their current squad above the cap that's one thing but then letting them add to it is wrong.

It's a good point..... and it makes you wonder how many of the lower clubs will be able to make the most of this rule... my guess is none.



It's probably just going to benefit the bigger clubs, who already have a massive advantage.



The salary cap was introduced to create parity..... this new rule would appear to contradict the whole point of the cap.

What a joke. Either raise the Salary Cap or keep it as it is. Good old RFL, muddying the waters once again.

But there's already the ten year service (up to £50K dispensation) and and an allowance for your highest paid locally produced player. This new ruling is just an extension/expansion of those. Saints could now hopefully use it to keep Foster/Lomax or Gaskell in RL.