Not really seeing Davies to be honest Jon. He may well cover several positions but he does them all to a pretty average standard. I think we've let better utility forwards go such as Partington and Shorrocks and also have better players coming through the system. I can't think of a single position where I'd play Davies in preference to what we already have at 4th or 5th choice, let alone further up the pecking order.

Fair play, I felt he showed lots of promise when Wolfe was at the club and had been the victim of some poor management since and had maybe not progressed as he maybe could.

I’ve seen him play a few times this year for Swinton, first time was against Trinity and he went very well playing as a free playing loose. I didn't realise it was him until after the game. Trinity have a ridiculous pack this year for Championship level one that would trouble most teams in SL particularly around the middles and they also have plenty of SL experience in the 2nd row and I’ve not seen a forward as effective as him against them in 2024 and include the game Wigan played against them all be it, it was a friendly but we went very strong in the pack that night.

I haven't seen him in any of his championship games so I'm basing what I said purely on what I've seen at SL level and I can't say he's ever shown anything that made me think he had anything special in the locker. I suppose there have been many players who have shone at championship level but weren't able to transfer that to the higher grade. Maybe he's one of those types? I'm not claiming to have any insight beyond what I've seen in Superleague so it's possible he has something I'm not seeing. I'd be surprised though.

With regards to Wigan I'm not sure where he adds anything even if he's a good standard championship player or, as Stu put it, a bang average SL player. We have 8 props, 4 second rows, 3 hookers, 3 loose forwards and a partridge in a pear tree who are all better than him (imo). In addition we have several young players coming through who will add to the mix over the next year or two. Then there's Eseh and Chan who are both getting game time at SL level but, again, can't get minutes at Wigan. I doubt Davies would ever play at first team level if we were to sign him.

Hence why I said he would have to accept being a project signing which I don’t think he wants to be as I understand he is looking for game time. Expect him to end up at a lower SL team next year, where he may kick on with more game time and a different coach.

I’d take him over Chan in that project role as I think he has potentially more to his game. Love Chans attitude but I don’t see him as a middle and he looks to be struggling with his transition to the second row but it’s still early days.

In 2024 Eseh out other project wouldn’t get near a Championship team, I really rate him but he’s been awful every gave I’ve seen him play.

Matty Nicholson officially signed for Canberra, safe to say even if he hadn't signed for Wire we wouldn't have got much out of him for the development outlay

3 players sacked by Catalan https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/catalans ... ect-94628/

3 players sacked by Catalan https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/catalans ... ect-94628/

McIlorum to Hull KR, interesting move there.

Thought he was happy in France certainly didn’t see that coming

McIlorum and Warea-Hargreaves in the same pack will be interesting!

What's this I see about Tristan Sailor going to Saints? Is it kosher? That's a surprise, I thought there'd be a place in the NRL for him.

Sam Tomkins has gone full Radlinski and come out of retirement to play for Catalans.

17 games at 26 years of age doesn't indicate that he would be in demand in the NRL.

Or this year's performances

John Bateman to Wire this season

Really, what's your source?

Quite a few reputable sites are saying it, loan until the end of the season at the moment. He might not be the player he was but it’s a great mid season addition for them, especially if it’s only for this season and they can take a view on him.

Matt Shaw reporting it as done and he's on the money usually. He could be a real game changer for Wire in terms of experience in big games. I've not seen much of him recently but from what I hear, he doesn't seem to be playing anywhere near his best but maybe some time back in the UK will kick him in to gear. It feels like he's unsettled wherever he plays in these recent years, which must be difficult. Having an Australian partner and a child on either side of the world must be some challenge.

He'll add some big game experience - and cover for Fitzgibbon who seems to be off for a while. Big questions around how effective he is now. Certainly been underwhelming ever since his 1st season at Canberra which is quite a few years now......

I’ve decent sources at Wire, unfortunately I’ve none at Wigan

He's all over the place really isn't he? Goes back to Wigan as he misses his family, cuts his contract short to fly back to Australia again, goes on loan to Warrington as he misses his family before flying back yet again.

Bateman is an interesting signing at Wire for sure, it really is dependent on what attitude he turns up with. There is an excellent player still in there even today and i feel Burgess could get that out of him.

Coincidentally, i was browsing Youtube last night and the 3rd test vs. Tonga was recommended to me from this off season just gone. Bateman was causing Tonga all sorts of nightmares all evening, setting up tries with his offloading and had a brilliant game.

Get that Bateman lining up for Wire and he will be an excellent loan signing for them, plus the experience of winning the big games he brings could be invaluable for them when it comes around to the playoffs.

Is there? How do you know this?

I give a very recent example in my post?

One swallow doesn't make a summer though.

I think he is finished - its been far too long since he was consistently a very good player.

Bateman may not be the player he was but Warrington are unquestionably in a stronger position to have a real crack now. Yates and Bateman are players you would think help to toughen them up mentally in the big games.