Preview: Oldham v Featherstone

Oldham face another huge test at Boundary Park as Sean Long's exciting side bid to extend their winning run to four straight games with the visit of Featherstone Rovers.

Wins over London, Sheffield and Barrow have propelled the Roughyeds up to 2nd in the Betfred Championship and into the 1895 Cup semi-finals, but the visit of Long's former side Rovers could provide one of the toughest afternoons so far.

Team News

Long adds forward Adam Lawton and hooker Bailey Aldridge to his squad this week but there is still no Elijah Taylor. George Hirst came through his return from injury last week and retains his place, as does Lewis Baxter who impressed against Barrow with a first ever career try.

Super League Dream Team centre Nene Macdonald plays his second match of an initial three-game loan after showing his X-factor on debut last Sunday. Long explains Nene's role in the team and what he can add to the squad on this week's episode of The Boundary Line on Roughyeds TV.

Winger Mo Agoro continues to work back to fitness from a groin issue, while Kieran Dixon is sidelined with the broken arm he suffered against Sheffield.

Mackenzie Yei will gain more valuable match fitness on a two-week loan at Hunslet, while Brad Gallagher suffered a knee injury on dual registration with Rochdale last week and is sidelined.

Squad in full: 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Iain Thornley, 6. Danny Craven, 7. Riley Dean, 8. Gil Dudson, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Adam Lawton, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Bailey Aldridge, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 16. Pat Moran, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 27. Ben Forster, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 36. Nene Macdonald.

The Opposition

Featherstone Rovers are seasoned competitors at Championship level and remain one of the toughest sides to beat in the division.

"You know what Fev are like, they are very aggressive with tough forwards" said Long, who led Rovers to an eight-point lead at the top of the Championship four seasons ago. "We know we are in for a tough game".

Featherstone finished top of the Championship the season before last but suffered a surprise exit in the playoff semi-finals to London Broncos, who ended up gaining promotion to Super League. Rovers also won the 1895 Cup in 2021, reaching the final again in 2022. Oldham could yet end up meeting Featherstone in this year's semi-finals, with the draw to take place at Boundary Park on Sunday.

This year has seen a tough start for Rovers, who have replaced James Ford as head coach with former England half-back Paul Cooke.

They have just one win on the board so far but were impressive 34-6 winners over London in the Cup last week. Among their dangermen is full-back Caleb Aekins who ran in a hat-trick against the Broncos, giant French international forward Gadwin Springer along with experienced stars Danny Addy, Ben Reynolds and Brad Day.

Match Experience

There is so much now included in the price of a match ticket that Boundary Park's matchday experience has fast-become one of the hottest tickets in rugby league - and kids go free too don't forget!
On the pitch the product is stunning - with Dream Team star Nene Macdonald now here to thrill fans alongside the existing stardust supplied by the likes of Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e, Josh Drinkwater and Jordan Turner.
We encourage fans to arrive early to take advantage of activities in Bar 1895 and around the stadium, with street food, drinks and live music before the match.

Join players, fans and mascots before and after the game in Bar 1895, our popular pre-match hub for both Oldham and visiting supporters alike.

We are now also delighted to host our Player of the Match in Bar 1895 straight after the game, so make sure you are there to meet Oldham's star player on the day after the hooter.

This Sunday we also have the draw for the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup semi-finals taking place at Boundary Park - and we will hear that live in Bar 1895 at around 2:20pm.

The entertainment kicks off with live music from resident house band the Boundary Parkas, before host George Riley takes over at 2pm with the all-important exclusive first read of the big-match team news, the 1895 Cup draw plus live interviews, photo opportunities and autographs with the Oldham stars not in the matchday 17.

Our legendary club mascot Roary the Roughyed will also be on hand to meet all our young - and old - Roughyeds fans.

It is the perfect place to meet your friends and family, have a drink before and after the game, listen to live music, watch live sport including Roughyeds footage on the big screens, and gain real insight from the players before and after the game.

Tickets

We are strongly encouraging fans to save £4 by purchasing their match tickets in advance. Our usual prices apply this week - £20 adults and just £14 concessions - but this will rise by £4 if you choose to purchase on the day.
This is to help us manage numbers and ensure we have the correct areas open to maximise the fan experience on matchdays, and we appreciate your understanding on this.

Click here to purchase

Rovers fans are advised they will be seated in the Jimmy Frizzell Stand.

The last few VIP Access hospitality tickets in the Broadway Suite remain, which features a pie and peas meal, bar access and free tea and coffee as well as exclusive pre-match interviews with our players, and post-match presentations including Player of the Match.

To upgrade your matchday ticket, simply select the 'pie and peas hospitality' add-on when buying online.

Merch:

We want you to look the part and are delighted to have taken a spot in Athletic Store at the ground this year.
So all of our Roughyeds merchandise, including our training gear, is now being stocked at Boundary Park, and fans can pop in to get kitted out on matchday.

Media coverage

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, cast your vote for Man of the Match and much more.

Start your build up to the game by watching the brand new episode of our exclusive magazine show The Boundary Line here as George is joined by head coach Sean Long to talk Nene, PLT and Fev, centre Iain Thornley offers unique insight in to the influence of the experienced players in Oldham's squad and Head of Performance Andrew Dixon updates us on all matters from his department.

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.
For our loyal fans unable to get to the game there will be a live audio-only commentary service available via Roughyeds TV on You Tube from 3pm. But it is no substitute for being there!

We can't wait to have you with us at Boundary Park on Sunday afternoon - Featherstone always travel in good number so we need to ensure we keep Boundary Park a vocal fortress - the atmosphere against Barrow last week was fantastic.

Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!