Sam Tomkins announces Wigan Warriors return as Ben Flower makes his own comeback in victory over Warrington Wolves

Wigan Warriors 30 Warrington Wolves 20

Ben Flower returns to action for Wigan Warriors last night after a six-month ban for punching Lance Hohaia in the Grand Final (PA)

Sam Tomkins will return to Wigan next season, cutting short his stint in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors to rejoin his home-town club on a four-year contract.

The deal, reputed to be worth £200,000, was announced by Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan at half-time of this Super League win over Warrington at the DW Stadium. It was revealed that he had rejected an offer from the Wolves.

Tomkins, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, said: “It’s been a fantastic experience to test myself in the NRL but the reality is I am 13,000 miles away from my friends and family. When I left Wigan I always knew in my heart that I would return to play for the club one day and I am very excited at the thought of returning to the DW Stadium and pulling on that famous jersey once again.”

Wigan’s coach, Shaun Wane, added: “Once I heard that Sam was looking to come back to England next year I knew we had to pull out all the stops to have him here. He is one of our own and a truly world-class player.”

Wigan’s win – in which Ben Flower returned from his six-month ban for punching Lance Hohaia in the Grand Final – was underpinned by Dom Manfredi’s hat-trick of tries, his second successive treble, in a game where the lead changed hands six times. The home side remain in third place, but moved to within a point of St Helens.

Liam Farrell, Ryan Hampshire and Anthony Gelling scored Wigan’s other tries.

PA