From the Nou Camp to Anfield – but Oliver Gildart wants more

Last weekend he was lining up for Wigan at the Nou Camp, and now Oliver Gildart is preparing to run out at Anfield to face Warrington at the Magic Weekend.

Gildart, 22, crossed for a late try in the Warriors 33-16 defeat to Catalans, and they will be looking to put that right against a Wolves side that narrowly beat them in a Challenge Cup thriller just a fortnight ago.

Having played in the Grand Final at Old Trafford, Gildart featured for England in the test match against New Zealand at Anfield, and he hasn’t had enough of big football grounds just yet.

He said: “I think it’s unbelievable that we get to take the Magic Weekend here. Being a football fan in general to play at stadiums like this is pretty special and I can’t wait to get back out there.

“I would probably change the Magic Weekend every year and play them at different stadiums and get different people from different cities involved.

“Tottenham’s new stadium looks good so I fancy going there, that’s probably my top one at the moment, and then the Emirates Stadium though I think there’s a World Cup game there anyway.

“I think Super League is on the up, we spread the word a lot more now and it’s about getting more fans in.”

Although the game didn’t go as Wigan would have liked, Gildart says he enjoyed the Nou Camp experience.

He added: “It’s a great experience for me as a player and the fans to watch. Barcelona is unbelievable and I managed to score at the end as well, so you will never be able to take it away from me now, that’s probably my positive for the weekend.

“The Catalans owner put something on after the game just outside the stadium, just a bit of food and a few beers for both teams together and fans, it would have been a lot better if we got a win though.

“Every time we play Warrington it’s a real physical game and one of the toughest games to play in all year, so we expect nothing less this weekend and we’re really looking forward to playing.”