Whitehaven sign French half-back Louis Jouffret

Whitehaven have signed half-back Louis Jouffret from Avignon following the end of the French Elite Championship season.

Jouffret, 25, previously made 35 appearances for the Cumbrian club in 2015/16, and has also had spells in the Championship with Batley and Featherstone.

He had signed for Ottawa Aces for the 2021 season before COVID caused them to defer their entry to League 1, which resulted in him returning to France.

Coach Gary Charlton said: “I am delighted that the club has been able to secure Louis’s services. Louis is well experienced in the Championship and our fans already know the attacking flair he brings.

“He can cover us in the halves and the fullback position, so with losing Gregg to injury, we felt we had to move to bring someone in and Louis fits the bill of the type of player we were looking for.

“He will come over fit, having been playing in the French competition this season.”

Jouffret was also called up to the France training squad for the World Cup by coach Laurent Frayssinous recently.

He added: “I am looking forward to getting back to Whitehaven and trying to help the club for the rest of this season.

“I can’t wait to play up there again and see my mates. I enjoyed my time there a few years ago and I hope it will be the same again.”

Whitehaven are 12th in the Championship with two wins and a draw from their 10 games so far.

They are without Marc Shackley, Tom Walker, Dion Aiye, Callum Phillips and Andy Thornley through injury.