It's actually the mascot of the British Police, who are away at St Albans in the Challenge Cup Preliminary Round this Saturday.

It's Mark Riddell on his way to the Roosters

I have heard the same rumour.

The thing with Hock is Maguire. His whole personna as a coach seems to be that of a strict disciplinarian. Players not trying or out of form being dropped irrespective of name or reputation, players carrying too much weight being flogged in training until they are washboard thin, players misbehaving being fined and dropped etc. Then he would let someone like Hock back into the squad? It doesn't make sense to me.

I can't see why anyone else would pick him up either. A decent player but one overhyped by Ed & Steve for years and one who never really ever matured into the player people speculated he would. Also there is the tendancy for people who do things recreationally to do so again eventually.

Are you for real mate ? Your trying to tell me Cas or Wakey would not sign Hock if they had the chance too ? of course theywould mate if he signed for Warrington do you thknk he would get a game yes he would it would make us a lot stronger in an area we are decent in but with 1 or 2 injuries could be in real trouble, Hock wont sign for Wire but is he good enough to play for us ?? In my opinion yes !!

I'm going to make a prediction on Hock....if Widnes come up to Super League, they will target him as their big signing. Whilst Hock is a very good player, I think the Wigan team which at one point was reliant on him, has moved on a bit without him, and it will not be easy for him to fit back into the side. I think he might give it a go this year but will have less impact and in 2012 might be open to a move.

Hock would be the right sort of signing for Widnes, if their chairman was putting money up and looking for them to make a big signing to make a statement. Denis Betts has coached him before and if Cullen is in charge of making the signings as Director of Rugby we all know what he thinks of Hock from watching Sky.

Hock on his day is one of the most devastating running forwards in the world of Rugby League.. Go back to Murrayfield in 2009 just before his ban when he ran all over the Saints pack and fullback.

By all accounts he has trained very well, and has put weight on. How will he go when he comes back, I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me if Maguire gets even more out of him.

I guess we'll find out in June or July.

On the Widnes move, that's a good call. But Hoffman is only here on a one year contract, so money would be available for Hock next year if he proves his worth.

Moving the tread in a different direction, what cover have we got in the 2nd Row for Benny and Louis?
Last year we had Vinnie, There is Lee and Matty and Simon G has played in the 2nd row before he was ill last season.
Thinking out aloud, Clarky could do a spell.
But if either Ben Or Louis pick up an injury for a few weeks or so then we could be stretched.

We have plenty of backs and it is the 2nd row where we need a tad more cover.

I would definitely use Clarke as a back rower. I probably buck the trend of most Wire fans in that I would rather have Clarke on the field, or at least in the 17, but I don't think he is in our top two hookers. Like you say we have Lee Mitchell and Matty Blythe and I would imagine there are other useful second rowers in the academy as that is rarely a shortage position when it comes to young players. You can probably manufacture a second rower in the way you couldn't manufacture a halfback or an outside back, any big strong lad with the ability to tackle and a good attitude can probably be moulded into a second rower.

If push came to shove and we have an excess of backs over second rowers then what about just put King and Bridge in the centres and use Ryan Atkins as a second rower. Would it be that different to having someone like Gilmour or Johnson running wide...? Morley used to play 2nd row in his younger days at Leeds as well.

anyone got Tony's number?

Most of Hock's 'devastating running' was only done when he led with the elbow. A decent enough player overall, but ineffective when refs clamp down on his dangerous technique.

and drug fuelled too

I can't see how Hock could ever lead with anything apart from that chin of his.

I'm confident that youngsters like Lee Mitchell, Blythe and McCarthy can step up this season. Also got a feeling we could see the emergence of Ben Evans in 2011. Then you have the likes of Ben Harrison and Solomona to play SR with Grix or Clarke at loose forward.

Hock is staying with us he will be playing prop when he comes back