Announced on Kris Radlinski's blog: www.wiganwarriors.com/WBlogp.aspx?id=13 Quote After the long day of training, the staff returned to the house in the team van with a player on board. I can exclusively announce that we took Oliver Gildart back to the staff HQ to sign a new four-year deal with us. Negotiations have been going on for some time with Oliver weighing up his options after he finishes the end of the 2015 season. We are thrilled that he has decided to stay with us. I remember him coming to us as a 15-year-old kid. He had a confidence about him that I hadn't seen in a long time. He has some flair to his game but his recent performances in the Academy Grand Final and against the Australian Schoolboys shows that he is very tough also. He could quite easily go on to be a future poster boy of the game. Keep your eye on this guy, I think he will debut for us this year.'" Got a lot of talent this lad. I don't get to as many Academy games as I'd like, but every time I've seen him play he's looked a special player. I'm sure Rogues can give you a full report of how good Oliver is.

Announced on Kris Radlinski's blog: www.wiganwarriors.com/WBlogp.aspx?id=13 Quote After the long day of training, the staff returned to the house in the team van with a player on board. I can exclusively announce that we took Oliver Gildart back to the staff HQ to sign a new four-year deal with us. Negotiations have been going on for some time with Oliver weighing up his options after he finishes the end of the 2015 season. We are thrilled that he has decided to stay with us. I remember him coming to us as a 15-year-old kid. He had a confidence about him that I hadn't seen in a long time. He has some flair to his game but his recent performances in the Academy Grand Final and against the Australian Schoolboys shows that he is very tough also. He could quite easily go on to be a future poster boy of the game. Keep your eye on this guy, I think he will debut for us this year.'" Got a lot of talent this lad. I don't get to as many Academy games as I'd like, but every time I've seen him play he's looked a special player. I'm sure Rogues can give you a full report of how good Oliver is.

Looked very dangerous with ball in hand in the recent intl at LSV, he seems blessed with pace. (We seemed to have a few good centres in those games btw - at last)

It must be the Leyth blood in Oliver

That's great news, I know that Warrington were really very keen to sign him.

Always looks a special talent when I see him play. The last time I saw him in the flesh was the u19's GF when I thought he was the difference between us holding on for the win or getting beat. The thing that impressed me most that day was his toughness and his willingness to make the hard yards. We couldn't keep hold of the ball and were getting pinned in our half. Every time Gildart got the ball he made fantastic ground and looked the only player capable of relieving the pressure on us.

It's all well and good him being able to do the fancy stuff but it's things like that which will set him apart.

Great news. I've only seen him on Wigan TV but he looks a really good prospect. I look forward to him partnering Charnley hopefully in the very near future

Don't get to watch the U19s, does he play right or left centre or both?
The lad gets rave reviews so his is a very good signing.

Saw him against a huge Aussie down at Orrell. He controlled the contact to snuff out the attacking threat and on several occasions used blisteringly quick hands to put his winger away. It must be a dream to play outside someone like that.

He generally plays at left centre, but I've also seen him play right centre, stand-off and fullback without looking out of place. He can pass off both hands, step off both feet and has very good pace. IF and it's a big IF, because you never know how they will develop (Shaun Ainscough, Jamie Foster, Ben Crooks) he could become a top class player.

Another couple of young Wigan players to look out for are Jack Higginson and Liam Forsyth who both impressed me in their first U19 academy season just gone.

You should subscribe to Wigan t.v it's worth it just to for watch the academy games.

I'm just thinking that a backline of Charnley, Sarginson, Gildart, Burgess, Hampshire and Williams would be the fastest at Wigan for long, long time.

If they all reach their potential what a combination that would be.......bring it on

Do you think they would do a special deal for Sad End and/or YG

Rogues, how come Forsyth left Saints to join Wigan? I know he was at Warrington for a spell at u16s along with Ross McAuley who went on to join Saints as well. Forsyth joined and went on the Australia tour but then how come he left? Did his contract expire and then Wigan came in for him or did you sign him from us a direct transfer?

From what I was told Saints didn't offer him a full time academy contract, (just pay as you play) Wigan offered him a trial and then an academy contract after a couple of games. I must say that I was surprised as he looks very much like Joe Burgess in his size and style of running.

As with all young players time will tell, but he has really impressed in his first season at Wigan. He scored five tries in his three games v Saints but was unlucky to miss out on the final v Wire due to an ankle injury ironically picked up against Saints in the semi.

Just wondered if he's any relation to a guy called Ian Gildart, played in the forwards ( I think) who was in the wigan youth system about 25/30 years ago?
I ask as I knew off Ian G at school.
regards

He's his son

Cheers for that. I was curious as I rated him among the best 3 centres for his age group from this side of the Pennines alongside Gildart and Brad Goulding who played for St.Maries then signed for Widnes.

On the subject of player's Dads being ex players - Brad Goulding from Widnes - any relation to Bobby?

Slightly o/t what are your thoughts on Joe McSperitt? I've heard lots of good things about him and am looking forward to seeing him get a game or two in Wigan u16's this coming season.

Yes it's his son.

Can't say I've seen him play. Not seen a lot of youth rugby in the last year so the ones I comment on are my opinions from what I saw last year when I saw a fair bit. Most of the opinions I have on the lads I comment on still seem to apply but some will definitely be changing now that these lads are approaching first team rugby.