A REVITALISED Richie Mathers insists he has nothing to prove as he prepares to take on old side Wigan tonight.

Mathers switched from Warriors to Wolves on the same day England centre Martin Gleeson moved in the opposite direction, following a difficult 16 months at The JJB Stadium.

The former England full back only made one appearance for Wigan during the current campaign, starting the season opener against Wakefield, during which he was sin-binned for a trip on Dave Halley.

A subsequent ban kept him out for two games before falling completely out of favour with Brian Noble and finding himself condemned to the reserves.

But a move to The Halliwell Jones Stadium has completely refreshed Mathers.

The 25-year-old was made to wait a month before making his debut, when he scored twice against Featherstone, but kept his place against Hull and is now set to start against former club Wigan.

“It’s good that it’s come round so quick,” said Mathers.

“I can’t wait. I don’t have to prove myself to anybody at the club and definitely not the lads because they know what goes on and the contributions you’ve made.

“It’s going to be interesting to face my old teammates but once you get out there, it’s just cherry and white jerseys, you can’t really recognise that many people.

Once the game’s in full flow, you’ve just got to worry about your job, your role in the team and everything just falls in after that.

“I just hope I don’t get a whack off one of them.”

Mathers feels Wolves head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith, who also coached him at Leeds, is building something special at the club and after escaping his Wigan nightmare, he is excited about the future.

He said: “It didn’t take as long as I expected to settle in.

“You come into a new group of 20 guys and you’re fighting for one of their spots, so it could have been difficult.

“But it’s been great. I really do feel at home and the missus says I’m a lot happier now, so it must be showing.

“It was hard at Wigan. You get into a rut when you’re not playing and feel sorry for yourself.

“But now I’m like a kid again. I’m getting out of bed bouncing, even though I have to get up at 5.30am to travel over here.

“I’m buzzing going into training and I’m challenged every day. The expectations and the standards the boss has set are pretty high.

“That’s something I just love and it gets the best out of me.”

He added: “I honestly don’t think I’ve got a point to prove. I’ve just got to do a good job for the lads and the coaching staff.

“I’d like a bit of continuity and I’d like to stay here and be part of the success which I think will be here in the not too distant future.

“I think we’re building towards the good times and the success everybody wants. I want to play my part in that, not just go along for the ride.”