Gravesend’s Tony Clubb admits he is excited ahead of Wigan’s groundbreaking game with Catalans at Millwall FC this Saturday. 

The Warriors face the Dragons at The Den on Saturday in a crunch Super 8s tie.

Having grown up within touching distance of the capital, former Greenwich Admirals player Clubb knows only too well the benefits of the Warriors taking a game to London.

He said: “When I started playing league in London about 13 years ago there was just a handful of teams.

“Now there are loads of sides down there.

“In the Championship there’s the Broncos, then in League One you’ve got Hemel Stags and London Skolars too, so there are quite a few teams knocking about.

“It’s great to see, long may it continue!”

One of several southerners plying his trade in Super League alongside the likes of Mason Caton-Brown, Kieran Dixon and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Clubb believes there is even more talent to be unearthed in this part of the world.

He explained: “With more teams playing the game in London now, you’re obviously going to get more players coming through.

“You only have to look at some of the guys playing in Super League now to know that there is already a good talent pool there.

“For Wigan to be able to build relationships with the community clubs in London, and to have access to these players is huge.

“Likewise for the players, to have people from Wigan coaching them will be a massive help.”

He added: “The coaching here at Wigan is far and away the best I have ever seen.

“From the academy at U16s to the first team, it’s a fantastic setup right throughout and any London kid would benefit from being involved with this club.”

Clubb is convinced Saturday’s match at The Den could have a big impact on the sport in London.

He said: “For Wigan to take a game to London is a big decision and it’s certainly got people talking.

“The commercial opportunities in London are huge, as we’ve already seen with the business club opening up down there.

“For me if this game inspires just a couple of kids to try out Rugby League, then it’s been a success.

“It is how I started out at the age of and now I’m playing for one of the biggest teams in the world.”

Tickets for the Wigan v Catalans Super League clash at The Den are on sale through Ticketmaster, starting at £20 adults and £10 concessions. 

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