That's the thing - there isn't a non quota centre even remotely available that's better. It's why Hudds have seemingly gone in big for Bibby (I player I like), but not one with the CV Gildart has.

We'd be crazy not to go for him, especially if that allows us to keep French. The alternative is French goes and we'd have to play Miski and he's still very unknown. What's better;

NRL centre & Miski
Gildart & French

The main issue for me with returning players is their mindset when they get back. Imagine we sign him and he comes back after playing a handful of games, having next to no impact and getting ripped to shreds on a regular basis. What does that do to your motivation and self-confidence - to put all that physical and emotional energy into cracking the elite competition on the other side of the world and ending up a complete failure? I hope he gets another go under a new coach - if he ends up back in SL I can't imagine him arriving with a very positive attitude.

If it means we can keep French, I'd even put up with Gildart.

But is that really the option facing us? I've heard no NRL centre mentioned.

Gildart can go to Wire with his mate Williams for me. No more coming home parades. You leave, you're done, move on. He wasn't remotely close to justifying his wage before he left now he isn't playing and will want more money. Absolute and emphatic NO for me.

Neither have I, but I also hadn't heard about Ellis, Mago or Cust this year either.

I can't see that, if French leaves, the club would bring another winger in. If Bibby is gone, which seems certain, then there's a centre slot open + plenty of cash and a quota spot. It might not be an NRL player, it could be someone like Leutele perhaps? Again tho, is that preferable to Gildart and maybe French?

I wouldn't swap French for Gildart for all the tea in China. Neither would most of us, I guess, But that isn't really the question, unfortunately.

I have said this before but I think people forget the impact Covid had on Gildart's injury. He couldn't get the necessary rehab on his shoulder and it took him way longer than it should to get back to any sort of fitness. Before his injury he was excellent and absolutely the form British centre. Unfortunately he seems to be struggling in the NRL, as many predicted, so we won't know if he's getting back to that level at the moment.

I didn't forget
Had a poor 2021 but from 2015/16 to 2019 before his injuries of 2020 he was IMO thr best overall British Centre.

Hes had a difficult start in the NRL and whilst not saying he's definitely up to the NRL standard, there are also a couple of other mitigating factors why they may not be seeing the best of him.

However

I am 100% certain that if the injury is recovered, and he regained a bit of confidence from regular rugby, he is still a Top Notch player that would improve any club over here and be in Wanes World Cup plans/thoughts.

Gildart has a great highlights reel. Sadly he suffers from the "left Wigan" tag that now means we must revise history to say he was cr@p.

If he were available and it was good enough for Peet, Rads, Wane etc, that would be good enough for me. The money would need to be right and you’d want a decent medical but we’re stocked heavy on overseas players and need more quality British players on board. Where do you realistically find a better English centre than Gildart? You’re not going to get Farnworth and the rest are much of a muchness.