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Gildart: It means a lot

Oliver Gildart previews this weekend’s Coral Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie against Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium (K.O. 5pm).
The centre talks about how special the Challenge Cup is to Wigan, how the 2017 final will help to motivate him and his recent return to match action.
Gildart: “It’s not something I have won myself so it’s one I want personally, and I have my eyes set on it.”

Oliver Gildart has his sights set on a full Coral Challenge Cup run this season as he hopes to put right previous defeats in the competition.

Wigan begin their run in the Cup on Saturday with a Quarter Final tie at the AJ Bell Stadium against Hull FC (K.O, 5pm) – the team they lost against in the 2017 Final.

The centre knows how important the competition is to the Club and hopes the current squad can put in a good run this season.

He said: “It means a lot to the people of Wigan – it is what we are known for – the Club that has won it more than any other team. It’s not something I have won myself so it’s one I want personally, and I have my eyes set on it. It was one of the worse feelings losing at Wembley, so hopefully we can right a few wrongs.”

The 24-year-old says he is motivated by the defeat in 2017.

The loss against Hull in Wigan’s last appearance in a Challenge Cup Final is something that is still on the mind of 24-year-old Gildart.

“It doesn’t matter who you are playing because at the end of the day you want to do your best for Wigan, but knowing that they beat us does gives you that bit more of a kick. I lost the Semi Final against them the year before, and then the Final, so it’s a bit of extra motivation. That result at Wembley does leave a bitter taste, so we want to get the job done.”

Despite Hull being in mixed form this season, Gildart is still wary of what they can produce.

“We will always train for the best possible Hull FC side, and to be fair they always bring that when they play us. It will be a tough game because they are a club who enjoy success in the Cup.

The England international recently made his return to match action following a lengthy shoulder injury, with lockdown extending his time on the sidelines.

Gildart in action against Catalans Dragons last weekend.

“I feel good to get a few games under my belt but I’m still way off where I want to be, so I will keep knocking these games off and keep improving to get some confidence back. It took much longer than we first thought because the pandemic set me back.

“It was frustrating as I was set to play a couple of weeks into lockdown – I had got myself fit and ready to go but then we were off for five months. I couldn’t keep on top of my rehab due to lack of physio and gym equipment, so it just set me back a bit further. I needed more time to get myself right, but it was the right thing to do and hopefully I can see some rewards.”

Gildart went over for his first try since he returned to action in the 12-28 victory away to Catalans Dragons last weekend.

The centre went over for his first try since his return to fitness.

“It is always good to score, so I am really happy to get the first one out the way and hopefully I can score plenty more this year. It was also good to be playing back with Budge (Joe Burgess), as it had been a while, so there are a lot of positives and I’m looking forward to this week.”