Tomkins reverses retirement to play for Catalans

Sam Tomkins captained England at the 2021 World Cup

Former England captain Sam Tomkins has come out of retirement to play for Catalans Dragons this season.

The 35-year-old spent four years with Dragons before retiring from playing in 2023, largely because of a persistent knee problem.

He remained at the Super League club in an off-field role.

However, Tomkins has made himself available to coach Steve McNamara for the remainder of the current campaign, starting against Hull FC in Perpignan on Saturday, 27 July.

"Steve said a couple of weeks ago 'What do you think the chances are of you coming back?' And in the last two weeks that's progressed to where I've signed for Catalans until the end of the season," Tomkins told Sky Sports.

"At the start of this week, we had a meeting and Steve said to the players 'We have got a new player, Sam is going to be available to play'."

Tomkins won Super League's Man of Steel award in 2012 and 2021.

He has also played in three Super League Grand Final wins - in 2010, 2013 and 2018 - during two spells at Wigan, as well as Challenge Cup-winning Warriors sides in 2011 and 2013.

At international level, Tomkins appeared in 2013 and 2021 World Cup semi-finals for England - with his country suffering dramatic exits on both occasions at the hands of New Zealand and Samoa respectively.