HALIFAX PANTHERS coach Kyle Eastmond is working hard to find answers to the issues he felt contributed to his side’s setback in the south of France.
The West Yorkshire team suffered only a second league defeat of the season, but having pushed Bradford hard before succumbing 12-8 at The Shay, they were comfortably seen off by hosts Toulouse, who ran out 32-0 victors.
That was disappointing for Eastmond, his players and the fans who flew out for a clash the Panthers went into as league leaders, and the boss admitted: “They put hands in pockets to support us and our performance didn’t marry up to that.”
The Shay team chief had previously vowed not to get carried away with the impressive start – there have been seven league wins ahead of the home meeting with Doncaster today (Sunday)
Halifax fielded on-loan Warrington backrow Tom Whitehead against Toulouse but there were no players from dual-registration partners St Helens.
They have since signed Warrington outside back Alfie Johnson on a season-long loan.
Director of rugby Richard Durgan has spoken of the tight size of the squad, saying: “Myself and Kyle speak all the time, and we know we probably need more players, particularly with the number of games in this league, but they have to be the right fit and add to the existing squad.
“Our budget is clearly nowhere near last year’s, but within the framework and restrictions, we are keeping our eyes open.”
And Eastmond accepted: “We’ve probably been squeezing the lemon a little bit in terms of our resources.”
Three players reached milestones against Toulouse, including versatile France international back Louis Jouffret, who was facing one of his former clubs and made his 100th Panthers appearance after moving from Whitehaven ahead of the 2022 season.
Forward Will Calcott played his 100th career game (his 93rd for hometown Halifax) while halfback Jack Hansen, a close-season signing from Sheffield, reached 200 career appearances on his eleventh Panthers outing.
