Deakin anticipating a strong Lézignan

Steve Deakin

STEVE Deakin expects Lézignan to provide a major test for Oldham when the French side visit Boundary Park this weekend.

The former Roughyeds coach, who has extensive experience within the Elite League, believes that a tough, in-form side, who defeated Workington Town 18-6 on their own patch to reach this fourth-round stage of the Carnegie Challenge Cup, have the experience and physicality to severely hamper the home team’s chances of progress.

With men of the pedigree of Chris Beattie — a good friend of Deakin’s from their time working together at the UTC club in Perpignan — on board it is easy to see why Lézignan are their current championship holders, having defeated Pia in last year’s Grand Final of Elite League 1.

“Chris is a State of Origin player who has played for Cronulla in the NRL and was voted as the second toughest prop forward in the competition in 2002,” said Deakin, currently on a break from the sport.

“He is a tough, no-nonsense go-forward player who isn’t as quick as he used to be but he still possesses a strong carry and tough defence.

“James Wynne, the player-coach, is a half-back with bags of experience. He has played for Newcastle in the NRL and has also been a big part of the France side.

“Aurelian Cologni played at stand-off against Workington Town, though he is more at home as a loose forward. He is more of a runner than a creative player and someone who is very physical with a good defence.

“Adel Fellous had a spell at Widnes last year. He has a quick play-the-ball and is a lot like Said Tamghart in his carry — in fact, he is similar in his all-round play. He is probably the best prop France had in their World Cup squad.

“As for the rest, they have a young and quick three-quarter line and I think they will provide a massive challenge to Oldham.”

Lézignan Sangliers — the latter half of the name translates as ‘wild boar’ — are currently on an eight-match winning streak that has taken them to third in the current domestic league standings.

The squad arrives at Boundary Park on Sunday (2pm kick off) on the back of a Thursday-night Coupe de France Lord Derby semi-final against Carcassone at St Esteve.