Match Preview: Toulouse vs Oldham

Oldham head to the south of France this weekend for one of the biggest trips in recent years, as Sean Long's exciting Roughyeds bid to topple the Championship leaders at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Saturday evening. (5pm GMT)

Oldham have had three weeks without a game since impressive back-to-back wins against Halifax and Hunslet and lie just four points behind Toulouse in 4th.

Team News

Winger Mo Agoro is back available after a rest against Hunslet and reinforces the three-quarter line alongside Frenchman Mathieu Pons, Ben Davies and Jack Johnson.

Gil Dudson has a tight calf and Long has decided not to risk the prop given the long travel and high temperatures in Toulouse.

His place in the squad goes to Owen Farnworth who has impressed in two games for Rochdale on dual registration in League 1. Long says Farnworth's attitude has been "bang on" and he has earned his recall.

Riley Dean, who has been operating in the centre position in recent weeks, picked up an injury in our 54-4 win over Hunslet and thus drops out of the squad.

The head coach discusses his preparations for the Toulouse game and offers some insight into why a few players have been allowed to leave on loan and dual reg this month here.

The other squad news sees experienced forward Elijah Taylor in contention after a calf problem and centre Ben O'Keefe making a welcome return to the 21 after his long-term injury.

Forward Adam Lawton has seen his loan to Widnes extended for the rest of this month, while Pat Moran has moved to Featherstone on a two-week deal.

Captain Jordan Turner continues to recover from a knee issue while fellow centres Iain Thornley and Jumah Sambou remain out long-term.

Winger Kieran Dixon and vice-captain Matty Wildie are making good progress from their injuries.

Squad in full: 1. Logan Astley, 5. Mo Agoro, 6. Danny Craven, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Bailey Aldridge, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 17. Elijah Taylor, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 24. Ben O'Keefe, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 37. Ryan Lannon, 38. Ben Davies, 39. Mathieu Pons, 40. Eloi Pelissier, 41. Zane Musgrove

The Opposition

Toulouse have already cemented themselves as the team to beat in the Betfred Championship this year and their full-time squad earned a 30-18 win at Boundary Park in May.

Oldham were ravaged by injuries that day and if Long's men can cope with the heat in Toulouse then this game could be a cracker with a large travelling support of Roughyeds fans expected.

Toulouse are top by two points from Bradford, having won 10 and lost two of their opening 12 games. Those two defeats both came relatively early in the season in somewhat surprising fashion - at home to Widnes in round one and then away to Doncaster in March.

Sylvain Houles' side have won their last seven matches in a row since that Doncaster defeat, including their most recent outing at home to London last weekend 24-16.

Star men in their side include half-back Thomas Lacans and Englishmen Olly Ashall-Bott, Jake Shorrocks and Joe Bretherton. Look out too for flying Frenchmen Paul Marcon and Benjamin Laguerre.

Tickets, access and places to go

We are excited to see how many of our fans will be joining us in France for our huge Betfred Championship fixture.

Tickets cost just 9 euros and if you still haven't booked yours then you can do so via the Toulouse website here.

The good news is that most internet browsers and smart phones will now automatically give you a pop-up box when you first visit the website, asking you if you want the page displayed in English or in French.
Simply click English and follow the instructions to book your tickets.

If you are still having difficulty, follow our step-by-step instructions here.

Bistro XIII also has a special offer and is expected to be a good meeting spot for travelling fans. If you buy a meal at Bistro XIII then you get your match ticket for free!

One meal = one match ticket. If you book in advance then they will also sort out your transfer to the game.

There are other good spots to have a drink and meet fans in Toulouse too. Our France international hooker Eloi Pelissier recommends Pub O'Clock and Little O'Clock for Oldham fans looking to have a drink together.
Mind you his best mate owns these places so he would recommend them!

Meet the players

We would love to invite all Oldham supporters into La Bodega Bar inside the stadium after the game on Saturday.

It's a lively bar inside the ground with live music, and our players will head there to meet you after the match, as well as club staff and officials.

We are delighted that so many of you are making the trip to cheer on Sean Long's men, and we want to make sure it is a memorable trip for everyone.

If you have not yet planned your journey to the ground, there is lots of helpful information on the Toulouse website here including places to see and visit, plus the best ways to get about.

Media coverage

We are delighted that so many of our France are making the trip this week to Toulouse but understand that so many of you can't.

We want to make sure you get the usual unrivalled media coverage of the Roughyeds and will endeavour to produce the same top-class content that has made us the envy of other clubs far and wide.

George Riley will bring you live audio commentary on our Roughyeds TV YouTube page from 5pm, 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 much more.

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 Toulouse on Saturday afternoon - Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!