From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Martin Aspinwall (b. October 21, 1981) is an English rugby league player. He plays on the wing for the Huddersfield Giants. He is 175cm (5′ 9″ inches) in height and weighs 85 kg (187 pounds).

Aspinwall started his career with the Wigan Warriors, where he was promoted to first team in 2001 and made six substitute appearances. The 2002 Super League season proved to be a break-through year for him, as several injuries in the backs left the way open for him to establish himself in the first team. He played in at centre and wing in during Wigan’s league run-in and during the playoff series. Before the St Helens Final Elimination clash, Martin commented, “My goal at the beginning of the season was to get eight to ten games, maybe come off the bench, but because of the injury crisis that we’ve had, especially in the backs, I’ve found myself in the Semis now and one game away from a Grand Final.”

Coach Stuart Raper played Aspinwall alongside several other up and coming youngsters during the 2002 season. “It’s quite exciting for me to be able to play these guys,” said Raper. “The Aspinwalls and Briscoes are chomping at the bit to get on that paddock. Martin continued his good form for the club and, in July of 2003, signed a new two-year contract with the club, turning down strong interest from Warrington.

Martin was selected for the England A squad to face New Zealand at Brentford in November 2002 but had to withdraw due to a viral illness. He was later named in the 2003 England A squad to face Australia and in the European Nations Cup. Martin was picked to represent Lancashire in the 2003 Origin match.

Martin became a first team regular in the next two years, but was never able to capture the sort of form that would guarantee his future at the Warriors. At the end of his contract, which ran out in October 2005, and following the acquisition of backs Mark Calderwood and Pat Richards, Wigan allowed Martin to become a free-agent. He had made 107 competitive appearances for Wigan, scoring 24 tries. He quickly signed for Super League rivals Huddersfield Giants, joining ex-Wigan college Stephen Wild.

In October 2006, Martin was named in the 25-man Great Britain Tri-Nations squad to tour Australia and New Zealand.

• Picture
• Huddersfield Giants