Championship club secure ‘firecracker’ international hooker after injury blow

Championship club Oldham have secured the signing of France international hooker Eloi Pelissier.

Pelissier is highly experienced and he joins Sean Long’s side on a deal until the end of the season to help them build on their fine start to the Championship campaign. The Roughyeds currently sit fourth in the table having won two and drawn two of their opening nine games and the Frenchman will be looking to make an immediate impact against his former club Toulouse Olympique this weekend.

The 33-year-old joins the club from French outfit Pia, but counts Catalans Dragons, Toulouse, Leigh Leopards and London Broncos as former clubs. He made a combined total of 274 appearances for the latter four clubs, scoring 52 tries along the way.

As such, Long will be hoping the experience and nous he possesses will help Oldham overcome the loss of Matty Wildie, who has picked up an elbow injury.

“He’s a good lad, he’s like a firecracker out of 9 and very strong defensively for his size,” Long told the Oldham website. “We have been struggling with Wildie being injured so to have him in is good and I’m glad he’s jumped on board.

“I’m made up that he’s joining Oldham.”

Eloi Pelissier excited to return to Championship

Pelissier has made 23 appearances for France over his career, too, and while he has spent the last few months in the French league, he still feels on top of his game.

“I am excited and am loving playing rugby league. I still feel in great shape and want a new challenge,” Pelissier said.

“I was looking for an opportunity after performing for six months in the French season after my last game for Toulouse in the Grand Final with Wakefield. I have kept myself very fit and strong and am very proud to keep going with what I love to do.

“Oldham have big ambition with the squad they have built and what they did last year to go undefeated at home and smash League 1. Now they are top four in the Championship and have signed good players with a good coach and play a good brand. I want to come in and try to help a little with my experience and keep growing the ambition.”