
George Hirst expects Wigan Warriors to be tested by Oldham this weekend when the two sides face off against each other at Boundary Park.
The friendly was made as part of the deal that took Hirst from Oldham to the Brick Community Stadium in the off-season with Hirst being Wigan’s only recruit leading into the 2025 season.
Hirst is expected to be loaned back to the Roughyeds for the season, but not before representing his new club against his old one on Sunday afternoon. The forward spent two seasons in the Oldham first-team after being plucked from the amateur ranks and should he be selected, he will be warmly received by the home support.
However, he doesn’t expect Wigan, who will name a young side for the game, to have an easy afternoon against the Championship outfit.
“I’m excited obviously and hopefully I get given a shot,” he told the Oldham’s official YouTube page. “It’s going to be a big game and a tough game. With some of the signings Oldham have made, they’re going to have a good crack against us.
“They’ve signed some big players and they have a lot of experience in that squad now. I think they have a good mix, a good few young lads but a few older lads and big signings like Josh Drinkwater, a big half coming into the mix and he’ll work well alongside the halves from last year.
“Matty Ashurst is very experienced, Gil Dudson is another very experienced head. A lot of the young lads can pick their brains.”
While he is expected to return to Oldham when the competitive action gets underway, as the second tier outfit confirmed when the deal was announced, he has spent pre-season with Wigan Warriors.
“It’s going very well so far,” he added. “It’s a big step up from where I was before but I’m enjoying it.
“I think I’ve settled it well and I’m getting the gist of things now. It is a big step up from where I was, it’s a lot more intense and tough but I’m enjoying it, that’s the main thing. I just need to keep cracking on and hopefully eventually I get my first Super League game.
“I knew it would be a step up but for me now I’m at that age where I need to make a decision, is this what I want, stepping up? It’s either take my chance now or when am I going to get it. I just need to keep cracking on.”
