Super League signing lauds Championship club’s depth and outlines lofty goals

One Championship club’s major Super League signing has lauded the club’s depth amidst claims the club can go wherever they want in 2025.

Gil Dudson is one of several Super League signings made by League One champions and Championship hopefuls Oldham RLFC and ex-Wire prop has claimed that the Roughyeds’ success is all dependant on attitude.

Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel, Dudson hailed the depth of the squad – in particular the forward pack – and noted that with such an impressive squad, they can achieve some ‘really good stuff’.

“I think we can do whatever we want to do if I’m perfectly honest with you,” the former Wales international argued.

“I know every team says that but I believe that with the quality and the depth we’ve got in this group. If we turn up every week with the right attitude, the world’s your oyster.

“I think once we find our rhythm and we get that going, I can see us kicking on at the back end of the season and doing some really good stuff.”

Ex-Super League forward hails squad depth at new club

Dudson, along with the likes of Josh Drinkwater and Adam Milner, has swapped Super League for the Championship and that’s seen a major adjustment to part-time playing and training, something Dudson commented on.

He explained: “It’s been a bit of an adjustment for myself getting used to training on these dark nights, I’ve not done that for many a year. But pre-season has been good, just now looking to polish it all up and kick onto the season.”

With so many former Super League players at the club, there is clear quality but there is also a handful of seasoned pros from the Championship including 38-year-old forward Craig Kopczak, who Dudson spoke on.

“I know I’m in the twilight of my career but he’s really in the twilight of his,” the prop said of his teammate.

“I’ve known him for years, we played for Wales back in the day. He’s a good pro and I think he’ll be really good for us this season and I think we’ll need that depth of players.”

Speaking on the squad depth, Dudson argued: “I think you’re only ever one or two injuries away from having a completely decimated pack and I think pretty much every coach or player will tell you that.

“We’ve got depth in pretty much every position this year – nine, thirteen, back-row, prop – and some of those lads have been around for a long time and have played at the top level.

“There are some lads in the pack, especially Owen Farnsworth, who I think should have been playing Super League level all his career but things transpired a certain way. I think he still has a bright future for himself.