Perpignan build strong team

Perpignan have signed former Castleford stand-off Sean Rudder and agreed terms with Huddersfield centre Julian Bailey.

The French club, who join the Super League in 2006, have secured Australian Paul Donkin as assistant coach.

They are also hoping former Great Britain coach David Waite will join the management team later this year.

Perpignan, who will continue to operate as Union Treiziste Catalane until 2006, have also signed Australian forwards Chris Beattie and Matthew Bickerstaff.

The 25-year-old Rudder, a former Grand Final winner in Australia with Newcastle Knights, was released by Castleford earlier this season after failing to find his form.

But Perpignan head coach Steve Deakin believes the player can be a success in Super League.

"They tried him as an organiser but he's a loose forward and that's where we will use him," said Deakin.

Bailey, who is also 25, announced earlier this year that he would be returning to Australia, but he now seems to have been persuaded to stay in Europe for the start of the French season in December.

Perpignan are also in talks with former New Zealand Warriors threequarter Justin Murphy, who is currently with Widnes Vikings.