Tompkins’ Blues move may have hit stumbling block

NICK Tompkins’ move to Cardiff Blues from Saracens has hit a stumbling block over the length of the deal, writes Andy Howell.

Wales’ newest star hopes to move from Champions Cup holders Saracens following the London club’s relegation from the Gallagher Premiership.

They were condemned to finishing bottom of the table after being hit with a massive 105-point deduction and a £5.36m fine for breaking the English top-flight’s £7m a season salary cap.

Scarlets and Dragons were also interesting in obtaining the services of

Tompkins, who impressed during the Six Nations after being picked by Wales boss Wayne Pivac.

He had been an Under-20 World Championship winner with England but qualified for Wales through a Wrexham-born grandmother.

The 25-year-old centre appeared in all Wales’ four Six Nations matches to date and earned rave reviews with England World Cup winner Will Greenwood picking him in his fantasy Lions team to face global kings South Africa next year.

Tompkins choose Cardiff Arm Park following talks with Blues coach John

Mulvihill but Saracens have been unwilling to loan him for more than next season.

Blues had wanted to borrow London-born Tompkins for two campaigns or sign him on a permanent three-year deal.

But, according to The Rugby Paper, he signed a long-term contract with Saracens before being picked for his Wales debut.

That means he can return to Saracens, if he is loaned out, and still appear for Wales with the Welsh Rugby Union’s 60-cap requirement for exiles not being applicable until the deal he agreed with European rugby’s dominant force expires.

Tompkins believes his chances of retaining his Wales place would increase if he’s playing for a Welsh region rather than in the second-tier English Championship with Saracens, who are hot favourites to win immediate promotion back to the Premiership.

Blues have already brokered a deal to bring home Wales loosehead prop Rhys Carre from Saracens following a year at Allianz Park and hope to have more talks with them over Tompkins.