Wigan secure Tomkins, but lose brother

On a complicated day for Wigan, they kept one Tomkins brother, lost the other but went into partnership with the rugby union club that took him. Sam Tomkins signed an improved five-year contact that will make him one of the best-paid players in the club's history – with a clause that he will not talk to rugby union or NRL clubs for the next three years. "I want to play for Wigan and nobody else," he said.

However, his elder brother Joel's move to Saracens was confirmed yesterday.

"Joel wants to move to the South of England and take his chance in rugby union," said the Wigan chairman, Ian Lenagan. "Wigan would not stand in the way of a player with such clear ideas."

Saracens are thought to have paid £250,000 to buy out the remainder of his contract.

Saracens also announced a partnership with Wigan that will involve loans in both directions and a cross-code match.