Christian Wade is set to start on the wing for Wigan Warriors in Thursday evening’s reserves game at Castleford Tigers, Love Rugby League can reveal.
The winger, who joined from Premiership club Gloucester earlier this week, appears to be ready to go right away.
Wade, 33, scored two tries in his final Gloucester appearance, a 41-26 home triumph over Northampton last Saturday, but the club failed to reach the Premiership play-offs.
That marked the end of his tenure at Kingsholm, and the former Wasps star swiftly joined Wigan, signing a short-term contract until the end of the current Super League season.
Wade has been scheduled to start against Castleford tonight.
It will be his first rugby league game following a successful rugby union career and a stint in the NFL playing American football.
Furthermore, his availability appears to be a significant benefit to Warriors coach Matt Peet, with Abbas Miski now out for a few months following knee surgery.
Wade remains in excellent physical shape, as evidenced by his performance on Saturday, and he has not lost any speed.
If he survives tonight’s game, the prolific finisher might make his Super League debut for Wigan in their next game, away to Huddersfield Giants, on Saturday, June 14.
Andy Powell, another former Wasps player, joined Wigan from Sale Sharks in 2013 on a three-year contract but only made five appearances before returning to union the following year.
However, the former back-rower, who played prop for Wigan under Shaun Wane, believes Wade can succeed in the 13-a-side format.
Powell stated, “I believe it is an exciting move. Christian moved to America to try his luck in the NFL and has since returned to the Premiership with Gloucester, where he has looked happy and scored tries this season.
“He offers flare, speed, and terrific finishing ability to the wing, so I believe he’ll learn the league rules fast.
“It’s a whole different game, but he’s a strong small guy who can break tackles. I’m excited to see what Christian can do.”
Powell made his Wigan debut in June 2013 against the Castleford Tigers.
He remembered: “I caught up the rules quickly, but the physical demands were the most difficult.
“I was a fit guy, but there was the technical aspect of going back ten and wrestling on the ground.”
“I didn’t get a breather in union, and I wasn’t going to get one in league!
“But I started my first game against Castleford and scored a try against Hull FC.
“I was fortunate to play against a fantastic Leeds Rhinos team that included Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield, and Rob Burrow.
“I think I played 28 minutes against Leeds, and Rob said afterwards,’mate, for a game you’ve only recently taken up, you played well and can hold your head high.'”
“Coming from a great man like Rob Burrow, that meant so much to me and I’ll never forget it.”
Wigan won the Challenge Cup and Super League titles in 2013, but Powell did not play in either final.
“Of course I would’ve liked to have played more,” he tells me.
“I was also dealing with some mental health issues, and I damaged my neck in a tackle with Huddersfield’s Eorl Crabtree, which sidelined me for nine months.
“I had plates in my neck and went bad from there, but Wigan were absolutely fantastic and supported me tremendously.
“I can claim I played for Wigan, even if only for five games, and I have no regrets about moving there.
“The bus rides home from Wembley and Old Trafford in 2013 were the finest. I met some nice friends there that I still speak with now.”
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