By Sportsmail Reporter

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Different league: Rio Ferdinand with Sam Tomkins in the Wigan dressing room

Different league: Rio Ferdinand with Sam Tomkins in the Wigan dressing room

As Roy Hodgson's England team prepare to warm-up for Euro 2012 against Belgium at Wembley, axed defender Rio Ferdinand was found celebrating in the Wigan dressing room... at Headingley!

Warriors fan and surprise England reject Ferdinand joined in the celebrations after attending his first away match and watching Wigan rout Super League champions Leeds 50-8.

The Manchester United star is a big fan of Sam Tomkins and the full-back was at his sensational best, causing havoc in the Rhinos defence with his magical weaving runs that directly set up four of his side's nine tries.

Tweeting after the game, Ferdinand told his legion of over two million followers on the social networking site: 'well...Wigan Warriors just dismantled Leeds Rhinos! Went into the changing room after, what an atmosphere! I should have filmed it! Inspired'.

Wigan coach Shaun Wane said: 'He loved it. He's been singing the song with us. All the lads like to have him in there.

'A few weeks ago when we played Warrington, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick came with Rio to watch and we lost so when he turned up today, I thought "I hope he hasn't brought us any bad luck".

'I've told him now he's coming to Catalan next week.'

Wigan made light of the absence of six first-choice forwards through injury and suspension, cruising into a 26-4 half-time lead before giving 18-year-old Welshman Rhodri Lloyd a perfect introduction to Super League.

Man in the stands: Ferdinand was at the match as a guest of Kris Radlinski

Man in the stands: Ferdinand was at the match as a guest of Kris Radlinski

'That was an outstanding performance with the kids,' added Wane.

'Rhodri Lloyd has not played much rugby league but he looked fantastic.

'Sam has just said to me it's one of the most satisfying wins since he joined the club and he's had some good wins.

'It was a test for us but we showed some toughness and we executed our game plan well.

'Every now and then as a team you get together with a certain group of players and you go through a special time and we're going through that at the minute.'

A second consecutive home defeat piled on the agony for Leeds, who could find themselves out of the top eight if results go against them on Sunday.

Winning feeling: Sean O'Loughlin (right) is congratulated by Sam Tomkins after scoring a try in Wigan's emphatic win (below)

Winning feeling: Sean O'Loughlin (right) is congratulated by Sam Tomkins after scoring a try in Wigan's emphatic win (below)

'We need to get back to the type of form that saw us beat Warrington and Catalan earlier this season and the type of performances we put in against Manly,' said Leeds coach Brian McDermott.

'This same team produced those performances and they will again.'

Wigan's 13th win of the season put them three points clear of Warrington, who go to Hull KR on Sunday, and four in front of Catalan Dragons, who lost ground after going down 34-30 at Salford on Friday night.

The Dragons led 20-0 in the first half and at one stage were playing against 11 men as the Reds had Daniel Holdsworth and Vinnie Anderson both in the sin-bin at the same time for dissent.

Catalan coach Trent Robinson described his team's performance as 'disgusting', saying: 'It can't be acceptable for any team to play like that and especially not at the Dragons.

'It was embarrassing and there was a lack of effort. You can't play like that and it's unacceptable to play that way in Super League.

'I think that has been coming for a little while. We have been playing average footy for a while but it's a bit of a shock.'


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The comments below have not been moderated.

bet even there he can still manage a whinge.

David leave the bloke alone he's not trying to hard to be in the news he's just living his life the papers will try anything for a story jeez some people if he didn't play for united he wouldn't get any hassle

Rio is trying too much to be in the news. Can someone tell him he will not overshadow the Euro 2012!! One wonders why he didnt try harder to play for England in the last 2years if he really wanted to go to the Euros

Sam Tomkins- oh my word. I've not seen many sportsman as great as he is. A 5* talent.

They are NOT dancing.. The hand sign is in aid of a charity called @alljoinjack and is for a little boy aged 4 who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.. Do your research DM before making stupid comments.. Readers please get behind this beautiful boys charity and help raise awareness to his cause ..thank ou

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