Apart from him having zero issues at Sale?

He's 8 years younger than Steve Menzies, bloody youngster

We have room to take a calculated risk and I'm sure Wane knows a little more about the game than we do?

I'll be honest I've never heard of the guy, but seeing as I don't watch union it's no surprise. I've googled a few vids though and he's a big guy and plays hard, just what we are missing.

The departures of Lima and Hock, plus the long term absenteeism of Hansen, Mossop and Prescott means we've lost a lot of the oomph in our pack that we had the past few years. The consensus seems to be that he is a big enforcer-type prop who I think should be a good addition to the side.

When will he start for Wigan. Presuming he's coming at the end of the RU season which ends around the same time as football. The Best part of a year playing union and then starting league (possibly again) with the major and subtle differences of the two sports. I cant see him in the Cherry and White until 2014.

Could possibly have something to do with our connection with South Wales? Also with the World Cup at the end of the season, probably will end up playing for Wales and attract a few more people?

I think a lot will depend on his fitness and also our injury situation at the time.

From speaking to people who watch Rugby Union they seem to be of the opinion that he will be a good signing for Wigan and that he could adapt to the game quickly given his style of play.

From watching videos of him its clear that he can run hard and tackle hard and those two qualities seem to be much admired by the Wigan coach.

On the back of that he brings some big game experience to a pretty young pack of Wigan forwards and that could be crucial particularly come play-off time.

Can't wait to see him in the Cherry & White and I have a feeling that he will be all over Wigan TV shortly.

Wigan will want to make the most of this signing PR wise so perhaps we should expect a press conference.

News of his impending arrival has gotten the VT forum a little jittery.

Has it? The only thread I can find has got seven posts, only one of which is a moan from Durham Giant about the RFL allegedly paying his wages. The rest seem to be supportive or are about Lee Briers. Or have I got the wrong thread?

According to Chris Irvine in today's Times, Wigan are holding back on the announcement until they've resolved Mossop's future wrt his mooted move to Parramatta.

And no, I didn't understand why this would in any way influence the timing of Powell's signing being announced either.

Maybe the signing hasn't been made yet.

We were in a similar place with Paul Wood, Gareth Thomas etc - all the newspapers and experts on the other forum assuring us it was a done deal.

It's possible that the club want to announce both together to have some good news to announce at the same time to take some focus off the bad news of losing a player. Whether that would affect fan opinion or reaction is doubtful but it would give the press something of higher profile and more interest to a wider section of the nation to report on rather than having them focus too much on the loss of another SL player to another competition.

They did a similar thing when Joel Tomkins went to Saracens, everyone knew it was happening but the club seemingly delayed an announcement of his departure and then announced Sam's new contract at the same time to soften the blow of Joel going and give the press something else to report on about the more high profile of the siblings.