Confirmed signing 1 year deal.good luck to the lad

I don't like being negative on new signings and it is just my opinion but I dont rate him. I have seen him play a few times for Fev and Batley and i just don't get what all the fuss is about. To me he is just a big unit with not a lot else about him and he struggles with ball retention.

Believe me I hop he can prove me wrong but I predict that he will be back in the championship by the start of 2018.

Never heard of him???? !!! But I hadn't heard of Anthony England and he's done ok

You don't watch much rugby then ?????

I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

It is highly rumoured that we are losing 2 props at the end of the year.

I would though, like to have thought that we would be trying to attract bigger names, especially if we are to maintain our recent improvement. Other super league clubs around us are improving on their squad roster and attracting bigger names.

Out of curiosity, didn't he sign a couple of years ago with a super league side, only to fail his medical. It makes you wonder why, and also do we give players a medical before signing them, especially when we have had in our squad in recent seasons a walking sick note, and have one in our squad at the moment

I'm happy with this one - John Kear knows him better than anyone on here, and if he thinks he's got the potential to step up in a full time environment, I'll trust his judgement over the armchair experts who reside herein, and form a view after watching him play one game for Batley.

There's plenty of examples of lads like Hirst who've come good i.e Hill, Amor, Walmsley - probably the top 3 props in SL; so there's precedent for this type of signing to pay off.

Welcome aboard - and good luck to him!

Well said Bren...exactly what I was thinking

I'm inclined to agree with you i'm afraid. Seen him quite a few times thanks to Batley letting superleague season ticket holders in for a fiver and he's generally been ok but has never stood out in the same way Alex Walmsley did for them, Chris Hill for Leigh, or even our own Anthony England did at Fev previously as examples. He has the size to match it with anyone but has never seemed to dominate opposition forwards like he should. It's also worth noting that he'll be all but 29 by the time next season comes along which is late to be starting out in superleague even for a prop. He also missed Batleys first in the SL qualifiers due to disciplinary reason, believed to be returning late from Ibiza as he got invited to a gay pride party, stayed an extra couple if days and missed training because of it. He needs to be fully focused if he is to be a success.

All that said it's a great chance for the lad and i doubt we will be paying him a fortune so if he wants it enough and is willing to give it all he's got it might just work out. John Kear obviously knows him well and he is Batleys captain so must have leadership qualties. I'm sure knows its his last chance for a shot at the top level so good luck to him.

Definately has to step up having watched him a few times this season he was dreadful against Fev, also needs to get his time keeping in order.

Ah... is he the guy from Batley ???

Fil .... I left the uk in 2008 and coverage of the British game is quite sketchy here ... If it's not state of origin it doesn't exist!

Saw him against Catalans and looked alright.

On the fence really with this one and will see what he brings first. As others have said JK knows him better than anyone and that's good enough for me.

If JK doesn't know the lad and have an idea how he will fit in at Trinity, I think we are screwed.
Certainly a big unit and alongside our current pack (well the ones that are staying), he should go well.

Welcome aboard & good luck !

JK clearly thinks he will be a good addition to the 2017 squad so that will do for me.

Maybe he won't a first choice prop and will provide cover. He's certainly a big unit and we'll just have to see how he goes. Need to take a chance sometimes.