Oliver Gildart looking forward to a successful season with Wigan Warriors ahead of the World Cup

England and Great Britain international Oliver Gildart missed out on pre-season last year due to injury. He is glad to be able to take part this time round.

“It’s been good that I have managed to do the preseason with the boys this year, obviously last year I wasn’t able to due to injury which means I missed the majority of pre-season. So, it has been really good to get some running blocks under my belt. But I am just waiting for the games now.”

A shoulder reconstruction limited him to only nine appearances last season. But he is fit and ready to go for Round One against Leigh Centurions.

“Everything is okay with my shoulder now. It is an injury that you can never really forget about, it is always pretty sore and achy throughout the day and in sessions. It is something I will have to deal with now for the rest of my career with rehab. But everything is looking good to start the season.”

Wigan had a successful season last year winning the League Leader’s Shield, but they fell short in dramatic circumstances in the Grand Final against rivals St Helens. Oliver and his teammates will be using the disappointment to push themselves one step further this year.

“We will definitely be using last years disappointment to motivate us this season. We were happy to win the League Leader’s, but when you play for Wigan you are expected to win the bigger trophies and get to the cup final at Wembley.”

Since his debut for the Warriors in 2015, the 24-year-old has won every trophy except the Challenge Cup. He would love to add that to his collection this season.

“I would love to win all three trophies, but I would love to get the Wembley win under my belt as it is the only one I haven’t won. It would be brilliant if I could go and get that done this year- it would mean a lot, that trophy.”

With the Rugby League World Cup coming at the end of the year, a spot in his former coach Shaun Wane’s England side is definitely on his mind.

“It is a massive goal to be in the World Cup at the end of the year. This would be my first ever World Cup if I am selected, so that would be brilliant.

“We obviously have England squads picked throughout the year and we will have zoom calls with Shaun, so I know what is expected of me to be an England player, especially playing under him. I’ve known that over the years coming through the system at Wigan.”

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