John Bateman thought his life was in tatters at 15 when he was told he was going to be a dad.
But England might just be rejoicing at Bateman's shock news come the World Cup later this year.
Because now the Bradford forward is convinced it was the spark that made him one of England's hottest prospects. Bateman, 19, said: "At 15 I was doing a lot of things I shouldn't have and though people told me I could make it in rugby I wasn't that bothered.
"I was in a maths class when I was called out and told I was going to be a dad. "My head was all over the place and right up to the birth I was thinking, 'What's the point?' and still going out having fun."
Bateman's daughter Millie was born less than three months after his 16th birthday and his life changed the moment he saw her. He said: "When she was born it was like everything just switched on in my head and I knew I had to give her the best life possible.
"She made me realise I had to get my head down and provide for her. "She's the best thing that has ever happened to me. If I hadn't had Millie at such a young age I really don't know what I would be doing now.
"Talent goes a long way but dedication goes further and I've got the best incentive possible to do well in providing for Millie." Last year's England Academy captain is so highly rated that Warrington unsuccessfully tried to buy him in a six-figure deal.
Bateman, already in the England Knights set-up and hoping to break into the full England side for the World Cup, added: "It's time for us younger lads to push them. It's a dog eat dog world at the end."
He returns from shoulder reconstruction surgery in tomorrow's Under-19 game at Huddersfield and then hopes to make his full comeback for the Bulls in next week's Super League game at Widnes.
He said: "It's been seven months since I last played so I cannot wait."