Young French duo become Centurions

Leigh Centurions have confirmed the signings of French duo Illias Bergal and Jordan Dezaria on two-year contracts.

The deals will see the pair stay at the Leigh Sports Village until the end of the 2019 campaign.

Winger Bergal (pictured left), 21, has been named in the France squad for the Rugby League World Cup and spent time during the 2017 season training with the Centurions.

Utility-forward Dezaria (pictured right), 20, is regarded highly in the French game and has already got five Super League games under his belt for Catalans Dragons.

Bergal represented France Under-19s against the Australian Schoolboys back in 2014 and has played a number of games for Catalans’ Reserves side.

He joined Swinton Lions towards the back end of last season and impressed massively, scoring five tries in six games to help the Championship club secure Championship status.

Dezaria, who is from Avignon, came through the ranks at the Dragons and made his Super League debut in 2016.

And Centurions head coach Neil Jukes is delighted to bring in two youngsters who he thinks will add a lot to his side next season.

He said: “Ilias is a good story. We met him when we played in Catalans and he came over to train with us He impressed us with his preparation and his work ethic. He was first into training and last man out and he took that mentality into the games he played with Swinton when we sent him out on loan.

“It is pleasing to secure his services as a number of clubs were interested in him but Ilias showed good faith to Leigh Centurions, recognising we were the club to give him his opportunity of being in the shop window.

“Jordan is another one for the future. He is a big, robust player and is eager for an opportunity and hungry to prove himself.

“He has great assets and qualities and our commitment to him is to develop him at a rapid pace so he can make a big impact as we aim to regain our Super League place in 2018.”