That's a big IF on Bateman's injury record. Yes, I know he's been highly rated at academy level and is still young enough to shake it off and go on to do great things in the game and I'm sad to see another of our academy lads turn his back on the club. But he's yet to manage a full season without picking up a long term injury.

If Wigan can keep him fit, you've got a potential future captain on your hands, both of club and country. If not, well he's your problem now.

Oh, and he supports the EDL, make of that what you will.

John Bateman? He must be getting on a bit now!

Did anyone honestly see this coming?

Before this signing people were already talking about our current U 19's as a potential 'golden generation'. When you then factor in a guy like Bateman who by all accounts has just as much potential as any GB kid out there we really do have a plethora of young talent.

I can't wait to watch guys like Faz, Bateman, Taylor and Hopkins turn into top SL players.

Lets hope we are scouting for the next top hooker as it's the only area we don't have the 'next big thing' ready to step up.

Chuffed to bits!

He also had a terrible rat tail thingy but I fail to see what either his political views or terrible haircut have to do with how good a Rugby player he is.

If he stays fit he will be a very good signing for Wigan , far better than Clubb for starters.

Hang on, I'm thinking of Alan Bateman.

I did post this last week, was told about it last Friday. Didn't see it coming before then though. Excellent player who will develop ten fold at Wigan under our coaching regime

have no idea what the starting packs going to be next season, surely the youngsters aren't just going to wait around for their chance.

think this is a very good signing he will get plenty of good ball playing in the wigan structure and can do some damage out wide

That was Mr Bateman, this is Master Bateman..............sorry couldn't resist

If we are sticking with a 14 team league and London go to the wall, with all the players we've got don't you think we should have 2 teams in the competition.

Just when I was starting to like him!

What a strange post, both love and hate all rolled into one
=#FF0000
Should a 18-20 year old be playing a full season, he's still developing as a man/player ... He will get the best possible path for his development at Wigan.

Unless the U19 rules change (which I wish they would) some players are going be idle for too long unless there is some really good well planned squad rotation.

I think one of the easier ones is Burke and Lockers. Lockers is our eldest back row and has struggled a bit with injury this year so it would make sense to protect our best player by giving Burke plenty of game time.

What is hard to see is who of the incoming players is going to be good enough displace H and Faz in the 2nd row. H at 28 is hardly old and is in fact reaching his peak and offers the kind of experience the younger players need on the pitch. He was also outstanding in both finals particularly the GF. Faz at 23 also had an excellent season. Both automatic choices for a first team slot. The bench slot is going to be very precious.

I think he has shoulders made of biscuit similar to Mossop so expect him to miss a few games, I can't remember the last game he played for Bradford due to his injuries

LENAGAN OUT!

Looks like he has shelved plans for the new yacht......

Should he play a full season at that age? Well the jury's out on how useful in developing a player extended exposure to first team can be. Should he be available for a full season? That's a yes, but his biscuit bones have so far conspired to prevent his selection as a reliable player. He seems to start building momentum then gets crocked.

Like I say, if you keep him fit he might fullfill his potential, but it's a big if.
Also, he's a bit quick to run his mouth on social media sites so expect the occasional tantrum when he realises how far down the pecking order he drops as I think Wigan have better forwards already than Bateman and he'll have to pull his finger out to get noticed. Mind you, that might be good for him as he's had it a bit easy at Bradford.

Is this planning for Hansens departure in 12 months?
Testimonial then big cash move elsewhere(Salford maybe?)

I agree with Roofaldo he needs to be educated in social media and PR, To be honest i agree with the Fundamentals of the EDL (as in extremism in religion has no place in the uk) but wouldn't support them because of there supporters and how they carry them selves in public, also he comes across as young and naive, hopefully he takes a shinning to O'loughlin and he can mentor him.

Cracking signing. My only slight concern is the size of our younger backrowers, once O'Loughlin and Hansen move on a back 3 combo from Farrell, Bateman, Hughes, Burke, Lloyd could be lacking abit of weight.

hughes, burke and bateman take on well above their weight, big season for hughes he has a massive frame and a lot of muscle for his age and burke resembles a silverback small in height but huge in body from. also you could add Ben flower to the back row depending on how the props go this season.

but we also have a number of front rowers able to move into the back row. Clubb, Pettybourne, Hopkins, Flower, Dudson and Crosby are all well capable to playing there as well. Our pack is very mobile which will allow Want to work out who is best to move into the back row on a long term basis with a huge number of options.

Slightly off topic.

It's strange that two of the best young backrow forwards Bateman and Stevie Ward have both had major injuries at the start of their careers.

Were they overplayed too soon?

Look at the difference in how Liam Farrell was blooded.

Good point, look at the injuries Sam Burgess has had also, being a regular SL then NRL player since he was 17.

Probably planning for the move but it won't be big money as he's out of contract at the of 2014.