SETTLING in a new country can often be a difficult process for a rugby league player.
A new environment with new teammates, a new club and a new culture can often be a daunting prospect.
But, for native Frenchman Louis Jouffret, it’s been one hell of a ride that began back in 2013 in Cumbria with Whitehaven.
Since then, the 27-year-old has had spells at Toulouse, Batley Bulldogs, Featherstone Rovers, Avignon and then Whitehaven again before settling in Halifax with the Panthers ahead of the 2022 Championship season.
Jouffret even has a Yorkshire twang to go with his native French accent – something which is quite unique!
“It’s been so good, I’ve been here for almost ten years in England,” Jouffret told League Express.
“I started in 2013 with Whitehaven so it’s been a long time now. I’m loving it and I’ve been happy everywhere I’ve been and hopefully it’s not the end yet!
“I’ve spent the most time in England in Yorkshire so I’ve learnt a few words from there. I would say I’m trilingual with French, English and Yorkshire!”
The 27-year-old has taken to The Shay like a duck to water, impressing in his halfback role alongside Joe Keyes and it’s fair to say that Jouffret is enjoying every minute.
“It’s been very good at Halifax, I arrived last year from Whitehaven and I’ve loved every minute since. I’m really happy with the team we’ve got, it’s a really tight group and I’m loving the way we are playing.
“Everyone wants to be at the top of the table and get promoted but I think the top two or three is a good aim for us and then in the play-offs it’s only an 80 minute match where anything can happen.
“We are going to go as far as we can. All the boys will be making sure they give their all every game and make sure we do well.”
Although Jouffret has become an expressive Championship player in the past decade, the Frenchman has Super League ambition and has even trained with two top-flight teams in the past.
“Super League is my ambition, I want to play at the highest level possible but I’m focused on doing my part one step at a time with Halifax and if I can make it them then that will be good.
“I’m focused on my work at Halifax and we will see how it goes after that. I’ve not had an offer (from Super League) but I trained with Salford (Red Devils) back in the day and Catalans (Dragons) obviously when I was there but not since.”
Fax will go up against reigning champions St Helens in the Sixth Round of the Challenge Cup this weekend and Jouffret has expressed just how much him and his teammates are looking forward to that clash.
“It’s great to have a team like the world champions coming to Halifax. They had beaten the Penrith Panthers at the start of the year.
“Everybody wants to come up against the best players and they have been the best team in England for the last five years. I’m looking forward to it and so are all the boys.”
