NRL return looms for wantaway Englishman John Bateman, and it’s not to the Raiders

Englishman John Bateman is edging closer to an NRL return just a year after his high-profile Raiders split, which was originally fuelled by the forward wanting to play in England again.

The English second rower tested his value on the open Australian market last season but, after failing to cop a bite, made the bold call to return to the Super League.

His exit was the beginning of a major dip for the Canberra Raiders, who have floundered from falling just short to the Cooper Cronk-led Roosters in the 2019 grand final, to what is looking like a final-less season this time around.

Bateman rejoined Wigan at the end of 2020 on a rich deal.

The Englishman walked away from the final year of his Canberra contract ⁠— and was given blessings by the club to do so ⁠— and appears set to do the same to the North-based Warriors after reports have emerged his Australian wife is “homesick.”

The Sporting Base understands Bateman’s agent has already been contacted by at least one NRL club, which insider Dean Ritchie has since reported was the Tigers.

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The breaking story is still at the “whispers” stage right now.

However, if the rumblings grow into anything louder over the next few months, it’s expected several more clubs will inquire about the game-breaking Englishman. The former Raider scored eight tries in his 34-game stint with the NRL club, and is widely regarded by many as one of the game’s best second rowers.

A host of cash-strapped Aussie clubs will have their second row spots freed up in the coming weeks, including the Newcastle Knights, Gold Coast Titans, and of course the West Tigers. The Dragons are also in the market for forwards.

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The Broncos are also keeping a quiet eye on any veteran players that hit the player market, and Bateman would certainly fit the Red Hill bill.

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