I've just watched the Origin game from 2005 on Premier Sports in which Bowen played, scoring a superb try. The interesting point was that he spent most of the game playing in the hooker/dummy half position. His passing and decision making was very good so I wonder if Wigan will use him like that at some stage in games?

the guy will be the most skillful player in super league by a long distance. I can't wait to see him in space and in one on one situations.

Don't think he has the zip anymore that made him a threat from dummy half against big forwards so I would be surprised to see him consistently used at 9 although I exepct him to get in and do some scoots now and again.

I think he will be in a first receiver more than we are used to from our fullback. He had an excellent passing and short kicking game and was utilised in a traditional first receiver role in the oppositions 40 for long periods last season.

Can't wait to see him to be honest. He is my tip for MOS.

My only concern would be his defence, particularly against a big set of forwards with the potential to pick up a knock.

Did Bowen play tonight?

Yeah he started. Was pretty quiet to be honest. Didn't do much wrong but didn't do much with the ball either.

Hampshire looked far more dangerous than Bowen did. He has the potential to be a top top player.

Which I've been telling everyone for the last three years, same with Burgess and Williams.

Hampshire was by far the better player tonight. Bowen was pretty anonymous, bordering on poor, it would be a travesty if he kept Hampshire out of your side, he could be a real talent.

seriously people are going to take bowen's first game in close to 5 months and a brand new team as the bench mark for him? Shaun Wane has already said he will be playing both this year but hampshire has a lot to learn.

Bowen is at the same stage of pre season as everyone else and so can be judged against them. On last nights evidence he was poor. Hampshire easily outshone him. Only saying what I saw. Bowen will improve. But he needs to. And quickly otherwise Hampshire will have his spot sooner rather than later.

Great logic if he hadn't only just arrived a month ago. Also he is playing one of the main pivot roles in Wigans structure i will give him a couple months before writing him off.

Ditto..

And me.

It's harder for older players to return after pre-season than it is for younger players, just like it's harder for them to do a lot of things as they get older. It's just a natural deterioration.

To make a judgement on a friendly when Bowen played half a game is daft. He'll take time to adjust.

I know Hampshire's a player with immense talent and the potential to be a superstar but he's still got a lot to work on. He's terrible under the high ball and never looks confident.

He produces moments of fantastic skill because that's the sort of player he is but I'm not convinced he's a sensible fullback option in big games. Bowen is tried and tested and will hopefully produce some good form this year.

I would have liked to have seen Sarginson at fullback. I think he's got all the right qualities for that position, although would need to be tested under the high ball.

I've seen Sarginson plenty of times watching London, fullback is the last place you want him, he's got bags of potential, he's either a centre of a half back but trust me on this fullback NO.

His defence is woeful and he's not great under a ball, with better coaching he'll improve but never a fullback but hey feel free to put him there when you play us.

I know he's played fullback but I've never actually seen him play there. Looks like all our back up fullback options are poor under the high ball.

In fairness he's looked awful in defence at centre for London yet has looked pretty solid so far in that position at Wigan.

The signing of Bowen was essential.

Budgie can and has played at fullback and therefore can offer an option for Waney.

Did anyone really expect him to be on top form last night after 5 months of an off season? I didn't.
Bowen will come good I'm sure.

Murphy and Tierney have been given little game time following errors at fullback. Bowen was brought to do a job this season.
I expect a lot of Bowen but that will come later in the season in the mean time using Hampshire could make or break him especially if he his dropped if he has a poor game as the other young full backs have. Let Bowen settle in before he is made official scapegoat. I can understand the clamour for Hampshire but the same fans would be on his back if he costs the team a game.

Forget that, his ability and usefulness to the team HAS TO be assessed playing half a game in a friendly.

Get rid and get the kids in.

absolute rubbish and to think he is a marquee signing aswel... il take him to the airport myself!

He's definitely the fastest thing on 2 legs that i have seen for ages Rogues

I am in the middle of watching the full game on Wigan Tv and my opinion is how are people saying he was poor? he made 1 error by my account. You could tell he was looking for his role in the side a couple of times it looked like he was asking o'loughlin for direction. once he settles and feels comfortable he will be quality.

Also somebody said burgess struggles with high balls they are deluded. He had a perfectly good try chalked off from catching a high ball and he slipped under the one he dropped (which had 3 saints players chasing when they was offside). I seriously think burgess will become the paddy of 2010.

Can,t beleive people writing matty bowen off already give the lad a chance see how he does when the season starts proper, then judge. If he plays like he can then he will be world class for us.

Where does it say I am writing him off? He was poor last night. I was surprised by how poor. Will he improve? I hope so.