Paul Stridgeon, of Whelley, will take up the dream role later this month ahead of the autumn internationals.

And he will do battle with another former Fisher pupil, Central Park legend Shaun Edwards, during the Six Nations next year.

The 28-year-old was head-hunted by England's new coach Martin Johnson, himself a man with strong ties to Wigan – his dad and family are from Orrell.

Stridgeon said: "I'm made up. I'll be living up here most of the time, visiting elite players at their clubs and assessing them, and then I'll link up with the squad before and during international matches.

"They called me up and came up here to visit me.

"I didn't realise Martin's family is from this area until he told me – I'm really looking forward to the new role."

A former wrestler who competed at the Commonwealth Games for England, Stridgeon has signed a four-year Twickenham deal and will move as soon as his commitments with Warrington Wolves are over.

And he is already looking forward to battling out on the international stage with the men who helped launch his career as a fitness coach.

Craig White and Edwards, both former Fisher pupils, gave Stridgeon his first coaching break at Wasps eight years ago.

They are on the Wales coaching staff and Stridgeon admitted: "There's already been a bit of banter, but those two had a massive influence on my career and they're really pleased for me."

Incredibly, another former Fisher pupil was – until last month – in charge of fitness for the Scottish rugby union national team.

Mark Bitcon, 29, has since joined Wigan great Denis Betts at Gloucester.

"It's nice that so many Fisher lads do well in sport," added Stridgeon.

"I was always encouraged by my PE teacher, Mr McLeod, to carry it on and he instilled that discipline and culture there."