MIKE Cooper is backing new prop forward recruit Joe Bullock to be a big hit with his new club while also refuting suggestions that Warrington Wolves’ pack for 2022 looks lightweight.

Blackpool-born Bullock, 29, has joined The Wire on a three-year deal from arch-rivals Wigan Warriors.

“He’s been great. He came to us having had surgery to his shoulder so he’s had to really start from scratch, but he looks incredibly fit, strong and powerful,” said fellow front-rower Cooper.

“He’s a very damaging runner with the ball. He’s still got a few things to work on as we all have because we never stop learning and growing. Hopefully I can talk to him and the other guys about my experience and getting yourself around the field a little bit better and being a bit smarter with your energy and things like that.

“But Joe’s there to run over people, that’s his main focus and that’s what he’ll be doing for us. He’s also got a good pass on him, he’s got a good understanding of shape and structure, and we’ll be playing with a lot more attacking options than we have done in years gone by so I think he’ll slot into that perfectly well.

“We’ll have to see what it’s like when we come to game day. I’m excited to see what the new guys coming in and those who were here previously are going to show this year.”

Further reinforcements will come in the summer too when another new signing, James Harrison from Featherstone Rovers, should be fit to feature after recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee.

Cooper said: “It’s a shame for Jimmy coming in off the back of a pretty serious knee problem, but he’s back running now and he’s a very big man.

“I think he’s 6ft 3in/4in and once he fills out a little bit on the full-time weights programme that he’s on – he’s on a very heavy lifting weights programme at the minute to bulk out – he’ll probably be sitting at around 110-115kg as his full playing weight when he’s back to full fitness. That’s another big man to add to the list.”

The size of Warrington’s pack for the 2022 season has been a topic of conversation, with Cooper describing some comments he became aware of as ‘laughable’.

“I’ve heard and seen things on social media, which I try not to, but people have been saying we’re a small pack,” said Cooper.

“Well, Joe Bullock at 110kg, James Harrison probably the same, Joe Philbin and myself are not exactly small lads, Robbie Butler and Robbie Mulhern 108 to 110kg. Show me a pack that, on average, is anywhere near that.

"That isn’t a concern for us at all. It’s quite laughable when you hear that sort of stuff. If people actually looked at the scales they would offer a different opinion.”