Another NRL club shows interest in Oliver Gildart

According to reports Down Under, incoming New Zealand Warriors coach Nathan Brown has put him on a hit-list of targets for next season.

Last week the Daily Telegraph reported Canterbury Bulldogs were preparing to make a move to sign the England centre.

And it appears they may face competition from the Warriors.

Australia coach Mal Meninga - himself a superstar centre in his playing days - has been impressed by Gildart's silky touches but suggested he may need to punch above weight if he moves to the NRL.

“Oliver Gildart is an English international, he’s a bit on the small side, you need big outside backs in the modern era (but) he’s very quick and got great skill," he told Fox Sports.

Gildart is under contract until the end of 2021 but has a release clause allowing him to leave if a set, but undisclosed, transfer fee is paid.

The 24-year-old has never shied away from the fact he wants to test himself Down Under at some stage of his career and in May appointed an Australia-based agent, Ultra Management, which is run by Sam Ayoub - who represents both coach Adrian Lam, halfback Jackson Hastings and fullback Bevan French.

He said at the time: “The NRL is definitely something I want to do at some stage and if anything comes about I’d look at it."

The Bulldogs recently appointed former Wigan star Trent Barrett as their coach for 2021 while Brown was in charge of St Helens before returning to the NRL to take charge of Newcastle Knights.

If the NRL clubs are deterred by the transfer fee for Gildart then he would stay at Wigan next season with the possibility he would leave for free when his deal expired.

Gildart has already won two Grand Finals and a World Club Challenge with his hometown club. He dislocated his shoulder playing for Great Britain last autumn and, while healed, he is expected to miss three or four games as he finishes his rehab.