WHERE HE GOES.. THEY FOLAU

Tomkins: Israel is key for our space invaders

SAM TOMKINS says Israel Folau has already significantly improved Catalans Dragons’ attack – because opposition teams are too preoccupied with his threat.

The controversial Australian signing (left) has played just twice for the Dragons in wins over Castleford and Hull FC.

But Tomkins says his presence is having an impact for Steve Mcnamara’s side ahead of tonight’s clash with Salford.

Team-mate Tomkins said: “We’ve not seen too much of him. “I think teams have overmarked him. Castleford certainly did – they were putting a lot of defenders in front of him which made it pretty easy on the other side of the field. Our left edge are playing really well but some of that is down to the numbers that are being sent down Israel’s side.

“It was the same at the weekend at Hull, our middles did a brilliant job of getting us back in the game and then Israel always seems to be in front of one or two defenders.

“Ben Jullien scored two tries and they were down to Josh Griffin being too worried about Israel Folau. If Israel is not in the centre, I don’t think Ben gets two tries.

“As we play more and Izzy gets more used to us, we will see a bit more from him.

“But it’s clear he’s a real athlete and he’s going to do something special for us hopefully.

“When you’re playing full-back or half-back, it’s a luxury having someone on an edge who you can throw the ball to and they can do their own thing.

“I think that’s what makes the best outside-backs, people who don’t need too much creating for them, they sort of do it themselves. And Israel has certainly got that in his locker.”

Tomkins (above) is keen not to underestimate the Red Devils despite a disappointing start that has seen them win just one of their five matches, having reached last year’s Grand Final.

He added: “They’ve had a lot of changes, Jackson Hastings was a key for them. They brought Kevin

Brown in but him missing the last two games won’t have helped.

“They will have earmarked this game as one to get them back on track and having Kevin back will help.

“There’s a lot of players in that team that experienced that feeling of getting to a final and they don’t suddenly turn into bad players.

“I’m sure they will turn it on at some point – I just hope it’s not this week.”