Dudson excited for South Wales return
Wigan Warriors’ Gil Dudson is looking forward to returning to Neath with his new side to take on his old side, South Wales Scorpions, when the two sides meet this Saturday at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 3pm).
Dudson and fellow Wales international and fellow former Scorpion Rhodri Lloyd, have both been named in a 20-strong squad for the clash which includes first team and under 20 players.
With 13 appearances with the old Celtic Crusaders side and nine caps for Wales including all three Four Nations games last year, Dudson is already an experienced Super League and international star.
Originally with Newport Gwent Dragons in rugby union and Newport Titans in Rugby League, the 21-year old forward is looking forward to getting back to South Wales but unusually for him, playing for the opposition.
“I haven’t been home since Christmas so it’ll be nice to get back there and see a few friendly faces,” he said. “I know the chairman Phil Davies, the coaching staff and a few of the players so it will be good to catch up with them.
“I’m settling in well at Wigan, it’s all very different here but it’s been a massive help having Ben Flower and Iestyn Harris here too. The comparisons are huge from what I’ve experienced in the past. Some of the testing we do here I’ve never seen anything like that before and it’s certainly putting me through my paces.
“I’m looking forward to the game against the Scorpions this Saturday but it will be strange to be with the opposition while playing in Wales. I think this game will be good for both teams.
“For the Scorpions, it’ll give them some good exposure playing against Wigan so hopefully we’ll get a decent crowd in for the match and it’ll be a good showing for them. They’ve got a lot of new signings that they’ll want to see in action so it’ll be a good game and a good challenge for us.”
“A few other first team players like Joe Mellor and Greg Burke will also be involved so they’ll be a few known faces for the fans to see. It’s a chance for us all to step up and show the coaching staff what we’re all about.”
Also included in the Wigan line-up are Anthony Gelling, a Cook Islands international, Logan Tomkins, the younger brother of England internationals Sam and Joel, and Connor Farrell, younger brother of Liam and cousin of dual code international Andy Farrell.
Tickets for the match can be bought online at www.scorpionsrl.com or in person at the Neath RFC shop in Old Market Street, Neath until 2pm on Friday, otherwise they will then be on sale from 2pm at The Gnoll on the day of the game.
Wigan Squad v South Wales Scorpions: Matty Russell, Jack Murphy, Anthony Gelling, Jack Hughes, Shae Lyon-Fraser, Joe Mellor, Scott Leatherbarrow, Gil Dudson, Logan Tomkins, Greg Burke, Rhodri Lloyd, Matthew Crow, Connor Farrell, Liam Carberry, James Greenwood, Kieron Harrison, John O’Donell, Liam Fishwick, Joe Bullock, Andrew Cunningham.