Warrington preparations hit by travellers; Limoux and Albi bring in recruits from Down Under

The latest round-up from across the Channel, brought to you by leading French rugby league website TreizeMondial.fr.

Two Aussie recruits for Limoux

Limoux have announced their first two new recruits for next season. Full-back Zachary Santo, 26, has played a handful of NRL games for North Queensland and Canberra, while Ed Murphy joins from the Canterbury Cup, where he played for North Sydney Bears.

Travellers disrupt Warrington plans

Warrington will be provided with alternative arrangements for preparing for their game against Catalans, after travellers occupied the home ground of Elite 1 club Palau. It’s the second time this summer it’s happened, the first time affected Wakefield’s trip to France. Although the mayor had made additional arrangements to prevent the occupation, the travellers had no trouble settling down. Warrington will be relocated ahead of their game on Saturday.

Spanish international leaves Hunslet

Carcassonne have signed Spain international half-back Romain Pallares, who has been playing for Hunslet in League 1. The French Cup winners have also signed Ludovic Artiga (from VARL), Clement Bienes (Albi) and Thomas Malfaz (Beziers RU)

Albi announce seven signatures

Albi have signed two Queensland Cup players from Down Under, in half-back Jack Cook and back-rower Kirk Murphy from Tweed Seagulls. They have promoted Julien Cance and Thibault Cousinie from their reserve team, as well as Mathieu Grabulos from Limoux’s Under 19s. They have also signed Nicolas Bianchini and Theo Lardot from Toulouse and Palau respectively.

Movements at Pia

Pia have appointed Thomas Valette as coach, with Franck Rovira becoming the Elite 2 club’s new sports director. They have also announced their first signings – Brice Pena (Limoux), Joao Paulo de Oliveira (Palau), Ilyes El Fizazi (Baho), the Cabestany brothers (Le Barcares) and Franck Florenza.

Under 19s tour

France Under 19s, who won the 2018 European Championships in Serbia, will go on tour to New Zealand, playing games against South Island, Toa Samoa, NZ Residents and Auckland U20s. A 35-man squad has been named, though only 25 will part of the trip Down Under.