Overseas duo sign two-year deals at Halifax

Australian-born winger Lachlan Walmsley and French half-back Louis Jouffret have signed new two-year deals at Championship side Halifax.

Walmsley, 24, arrived in the UK ahead of the 2021 season and finished joint-top of the Championship try charts with 15 tries for Whitehaven.

The Panthers brought him and former Toulouse and Featherstone playmaker Jouffret from Cumbria to The Shay at the end of last season.

Coach Simon Grix said: “Lachlan’s got some x factor about him, he can do things that other people can’t.

“And at 24 years old, he’s got a lot of improvement in him physically and in terms of his rugby league IQ. He’s at a good level now and I think we can get him quite a bit further along on that side of things. And he’s a good bloke as well.

“Louis has been really good for us this year and we’re delighted to keep him with us.

“He’s got versatility and can play a number of positions but he’s also got that little bit of flair about him.

“And he’s got something that you just can’t buy with his speed, he’s absolutely rapid and causes defences a lot of trouble.”

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International hopes

Walmsley has his eye on playing at the World Cup for Scotland at the end of the year and had been linked with a Super League move.

He made his international debut in the 30-all draw with Jamaica last October, scoring five goals.

Louis Jouffret has surprisingly never made an international appearance for France; though was included in the train-on squad for their mid-season test against Wales.

His eight tries this season have helped Halifax up to fourth in the Championship table.

The pair will now remain at The Shay until at least the end of 2024.

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