Why Eddie Battye is a "significant" addition for Wakefield Trinity

The Yorkshire-born prop joined Wakefield on a three-year deal last week after spending the majority of his career in the Championship.

He initially arrived at Trinity on loan during the 2020 campaign and impressed enough for the club to sign him on a permanent basis.

Chester admits he “couldn’t be happier” to bolster his pack with someone like Battye.

The 29-year-old got his first taste of Super League in 2019 with London Broncos after helping the club earn promotion as they defeated Toronto Wolfpack in the Million Pound Game.

He is the third London player, following Jay Pitts and Alex Walker, to join Trinity from that same London side who were promoted ahead of 2019.

“He made a big impression for us in the spell he had with us in the 2020 season,” said Chester of the forward who made eight appearances for Trinity during his loan stint last term.

“I am looking forward to working with him over the next three years.

“I think it is a significant signing for the club. Eddie has been in the Championship, he has done it the hard way by fighting his way into Super League.

“It is down to Eddie’s hard work and dedication over the past number of years that has got him into the position he is now.

“I couldn’t be happier.”

Battye’s ability to play longer minutes is something which encouraged Chester to bring him back to Belle Vue.

It could prove a shrewd acquisition, with recent rule changes meaning that, on average, the ball is in play for longer.

That means more tackles, more drives and overall more stamina is required.

Chester added: “He can play really big minutes in the middle and he likes to play with the footie a bit as well.

“I can’t thank the board enough for the work they have put in to secure the signature of Eddie. I think it will give everybody a really big lift.”