Match Preview: Featherstone v Oldham

Oldham wrap up their regular season on the road at Featherstone this Sunday, looking to head into the playoffs with a five-match winning run.

Roughyeds secured a home playoff tie and a top-four finish with last week's win over Doncaster, and head to West Yorkshire seeking another big performance against an opponent they could yet meet in the playoffs.

Team News

Head coach Sean Long has made just one change to squad this week after last Sunday's entertaining 13-12 win over Doncaster at Boundary Park that secured a top-four finish.

Mathieu Pons replaces Gil Dudson and still absent are experienced back row forwards Matty Ashurst and Elijah Taylor. Ashurst is nursing a hamstring issue while Taylor is awaiting medical clearance after a head knock in the win at London.

Riley Dean has stepped up his return from long-term injury and is closing in on a return. Flying winger Mo Agoro is sidelined with a knee injury and is unlikely to return this season, while centres Iain Thornley and Jumah Sambou remain out long term.

The head coach discusses his selection and preparation for the Featherstone game in his latest interview with George here.

Squad in full: 1. Ryan Brierley 2. Kieran Dixon, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 12. Jack Ormondroyd, 13. Adam Milner, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 24. Ben O'Keefe, 28. Ethan Ryan, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 35. Tom Whitehead, 37. Ryan Lannon, 38. Ben Davies, 39. Mathieu Pons 40. Eloi Pelissier, 42. Morgan Smith, 44. Matty Foster.

The Opposition

Featherstone have themselves been knocking on Super League's door in recent years, not least when head coach Sean Long guided Fev to an eight-point lead at the top of the Championship before his departure in 2023.

This season has been a mixed one for Paul Cooke's men, who lie just one place behind Oldham in 5th spot, and have a very good home record against Oldham.

On their day Rovers remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league. A very well-organised unit, they earned a memorable semi-final win over Oldham this year at Boundary Park to reach the 1895 Cup final.

The league fixture provided a nervy finish as Roughyeds edged home to win 30-28 in April.

Rovers come into the game off the back of a 30-16 win at Sheffield, having lost out to Widnes in their last game at home in what the club call "arguably their poorest performance of the season."

Feb have dangermen all over the pitch, not least experienced full-back Caleb Aekins, loose forward Danny Addy and giant winger Gareth Gale, with the power in the pack provided by formed Super League prop King Vuniyayawa and Gadwin Springer - who was sent off at Boundary Park earlier this year. Look out too for Australian hooker Connor Jones.

Rovers are undefeated in their last seven home meetings with Oldham, having won six and drawn one. Roughyeds' last away victory against Rovers was a 19-14 National League One win on 7 September, 2003.

This could yet prove a dress rehearsal for the playoffs at Boundary Park, if Oldham and Rovers keep hold of 4th and 5th place respectively.

Tickets and access

We expect our allocation to sell out for this popular fixture, with capacity restrictions in place at Post Office Road meaning a reduced number of tickets available for supporters.

Tickets are £20 adults, £15 concessions and free for juniors.

You can book your tickets online here.

Parking is available in the main car park at the stadium - this is cash parking and is available until full, so arrive in plenty of time. Trains also run to Featherstone station - usually via Leeds - and will drop you off right behind the ground with a very short walk.

Media coverage

We are proud to have one of the best away supports in the league and are again looking forward to seeing as many Oldham shirts as possible at Post Office Road this weekend.

If you are unable to make the trip to West Yorkshire - or if you weren't able to get a ticket this time - then don't worry - we will do our best to bring you the best possible coverage from George and the team.

We will have our exclusive live audio-only commentary on our Roughyeds TV You Tube page from 3pm, and make sure you are following all of our social channels, on Facebook, X and Instagram, the only place to hear the first thoughts from head coach Sean Long before and after kick off, see exclusive on-the-hooter interviews with our players at the end of the game, watch try clips during matches and even hear from the players direct from the team coach on the journey home after the game.

Please subscribe, follow, like, comment, share and engage with our media content that we are so proud to have to rival any throughout rugby league - it all helps with our IMG score too.

We can't wait to see you with us in Featherstone on Sunday afternoon - Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!