Tomkins hoping to sign off with try
Sam Tomkins admits there would be no finer feeling than to end his try drought on his farewell appearance at the DW Stadium.
The England full-back began the year in sensational scoring form with 30 tries in his first 18 matches for Wigan, but he failed to touch down in his last home match for his club and in fact has not scored since the final minute of the Challenge Cup final in August.
Tomkins, who is joining New Zealand Warriors at the end of the World Cup, gets one more chance to leave his mark on his home ground when he runs out there for England in Saturday night's quarter-final against France.
"It would be lovely to score in an England jersey at Wigan," he said. "It would be the perfect sign-off.
"I've not scored yet at this World Cup. I need to stop putting it on a plate for other people don't I?
"So I'll be doing plenty of supporting when people break through this week."
Of greater importance for Tomkins is the need to ensure he bows out of Wigan on a winning note as England look to secure a place in the Wembley semi-final double-header next Saturday.
"There are no thoughts of not winning this week, it's an absolute must-win game," he said.
"For my last game at the DW to make sure it's a win would be lovely for me, but the main focus is on getting this England team into the semi-finals because we're at the stage now where if we slip up or put in a bad performance like we did against Italy you're gone."
For the third consecutive Saturday, the Tomkins family loyalties will be divided with older brother Joel playing for England at Twickenham, this time against the All Blacks, and Sam is resigned to being the "poor relation".
"They'll all be watching Joel," he said. "They're all union fans now.
"My mates will come because it's a bit cheaper and they can all walk it from their houses.
"Last week my mum watched me and my dad went down to London so I don't think I'll prise my dad back. I think he's watching Joel too much now.
"I don't ask them anymore, it's just getting embarrassing because they all say 'no'."
Sam, who made a guest appearance at Twickenham for the Barbarians against Australia two years ago, has been disappointed to miss his brother's first international appearances in rugby union but, because of his own team's later kick-off this week, will at least be able to watch it on television.
"Joel wouldn't be too bothered about watching me - I've played for England a lot of times - but I'm gutted that I can't watch him live down there," he said.
"I think they kick off a bit earlier than us this week so I'll be able to watch Joel's game in the hotel probably.
"That's good but I am missing it. I've got a mate who goes down to every game so I just have to speak to him about what it's like. It's disappointing but I'm enjoying what I'm doing here."
