Chairman Ian Lenagan says he is powerless to prevent Sam Tomkins from leaving Wigan to play in the Australian NRL next season but will strike a deal to secure first option to re-sign him.

Tomkins, 24, is strongly tipped to be set to sign for the New Zealand Warriors. Lenagan admits a move is inevitable but feel Tomkins will return an even better player and enjoymore good years in Wigan colours.

Lenagan has just done that with Tomkins’ team-mates Lee Mossop and Garth Hock who will join Parramatta next year on two year deals.

Wigan have first option on the pair if they eventually decide to return to Super League.

Lenagan told MEN Sport: “At some point Sam will go to the NRL and that could be very soon – next season in fact.

“He will have achieved everything he wants to achieve at Wigan – he is the Man of Steel but he could then come back here to play when he is 27.

“We could then have three or four more great years from Sam who would be an even better player by then.

“I do not have a problem with him leaving as it is bound to happen. He’ll want a new challenge.

“The only problem for me will be who replaces him when he does go but we have structures in place allowing young players to come through.

“We have seen this with Liam Farrell who has just signed a new five year deal after coming into the side when Gareth Hock moved to Widnes on loan.

“We accept the fact our players will one day want to challenge themselves in the NRL.”

Wigan have however been further boosted by the signing from Sale Sharks of Welsh RU star Andy Powell on a two and a half year deal.

Powell, 31, has taken a big pay cut and is being lined up to play prop by Wigan coach Shaun Wane. His contract starts in June but he could initially be groomed with Wigan’s feeder club the South Wales Scorpions.

“The money does not matter but the challenge does,” said Powell.

“I feel ready for a brand new challenge and it was too good to turn down. I admit I have made mistakes off the field in the past and just want to get on with my rugby league career.”

Shaun Wane said: “Andy has all the right attributes to be a very good rugby league player.”

Powell is also hoping to figure for Wales in the World Cup at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Lenagan has confirmed that Sean Long will join the Warriors coaching staff.

“Sean has done a great job coaching at Salford on the first rung of the ladder and I am sure he will contribute greatly to Wigan,” he said.