Lack of fitness was the issue wasn't it? He was doing 15 minutes a half and not doing enough to warrant that? Tried to be Billy Big Balls and would be exhausted 10 minutes in, then tried to get fitter and stopped doing much? I remember him being highly thought of when I used to watch the NRL a fair bit, maybe 2016/17? He played in the Allstars game I think and there was talk of him going to Brisbane at one point, but ended up playing 9 games in 3 years after that for the Gold Coast instead?

Presumably he'll need a visa before he can come over so it could be a few weeks before he's able to start training with us. Then he'll need to get up to speed (hopefully he's fit) so, taking a slightly pessimistic view, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see him take to the field before about round 6.

GC had to let him go to make space for Luke Thompson, signing will be announced shortly.

Technically the quota rules would have him as Non Fed Trained so he would count as one of the 7 as he didn't play in the SL before the defined age, 21?

I guess we have been given an exemption based on the reasons you mention above as all the other players count on the quota, unless any moved from a club that went bust that I'm not aware of?

Widdop is non-fed trained as he wasn’t registered with an club associated with the RFL for three years before he was 21.

We have either been given an exemption for Widdop, or the RFL have increased the quota for all clubs. Otherwise we couldn’t have registered the new guy.

With regards to the lateness of the signing I have a vague recollection ( as most of mine are these days ) of Duckie talking about 'waiting for a visa' for some player, think it was Latu so there may not be too much of a delay on that front

Some people are already questioning this signing but for me we needed another prop and he has shown ability and knows some of our players so with a bit of luck he will settle in quickly and do the business

I have to say i find it poor planning by the club. Two weeks from the start of the season to bring someone in. He's missed out on a full pre-season with us. He's missed the team building opportunity in Portugal to get to know the players. I am not sure when the NRL started there pre-season but there season starts later than ours so i would think they were only just at the start of it.

How long to get a Visa? When does he arrive? I wonder if Holbrook has rang saints to say ive done you a favour for next season by offloading a duffer to us. I hope he does well.

Hopefully he's not another Roy Asotasi!

According to the Warrington Guardian he is due to fly in this Sunday.

He can come in on a tourist visa, just cannot play until he has a work visa. Not sure if he can train.

My understanding is that you can't train either (from what I remember reading about the situation at other clubs). Of course he can still get settled, the club can give him a fitness programme to follow etc

At least the advantage of not getting a game in Australia is that he should be joining us injury free.

Tricky things those airplane steps.

Sounds like the next Windrush scandal.

The Home Office are probably demanding he produces a million pieces of paperwork and proves that he is crap at rugby before recognising him as being British.