Wigan v Widnes: Wigan ace Oliver Gildart could have an Italian job at the World Cup
Warriors centre is tipped for an England call-up, but qualifies for Italy through his grandfather
OLIVER Gildart is likely to be heading to the World Cup – but the question is will it be in an England or Italy shirt?
The Wigan centre is being tipped for a place in national boss Wayne Bennett’s squad for the Autumn’s tournament.
But he has also been told that he will be in Italy’s plans if he does not make it, courtesy of his grandfather.
Gildart said: “The dream goal is England and hopefully if I keep playing well I may get a chance of that.
“If it doesn't work out, Italy have said they'd be happy for me to go over there.
“I think the experience would be good for me.
“After playing in a Grand Final and World Club Challenge, to play in a World Cup would add to that experience.”
Before Gildart can even think about the World Cup, he and his Wigan team-mates have the business of holding on to their Super League crown.
A run off poor results and injuries mean Shaun Wane’s side is in eighth place, seven points off the top four.
And the 20-year-old knows the time for slip-ups is pretty much over, especially after the 19-19 draw at Huddersfield.
As he prepares to face Widnes, he added: “We don't want to chance it. We can't really afford to have many losses, as much for team morale as the table, and getting some confidence back.
“We've had a tough time, but we've got some bodies back now and we need to kick-on.
“Obviously you'd rather go well all year, but this happens, it's sport, and sometimes you don't get the results. We've just got to make sure we get it right this week.
“We started terribly against Huddersfield, if you give someone a 13-point lead it is going to be a struggle.
“Errors again, penalties and we're making errors in our own half, we're doing so much defending that, when we get the ball, we're tired.
“It just has a knock-on effect. If you're kicking from your own 20m or 30m, they bring it back and they're straight away in our half, where as if we're catching on our own tryline and trying to get out from there, it makes a big difference.
“We just made it hard for ourselves.”
