Featherstone bolster forward pack with Tyla Hepi signing

Castleford prop Tyla Hepi is the latest high-profile signing for ambitious Championship leaders Featherstone.

The 28-year-old has joined the promotion favourites after successful talks with head coach Brian McDermott over the past fortnight and further strengthens a star-studded squad chasing Super League.

Hepi previously played over 100 times for Toulouse and will link up again with former Olympique playmakers Mark Kheirallah and Johnathon Ford who have both moved to Post Office Road in the past few weeks.

On signing for Featherstone, Hepi said: “It happened pretty fast. I think it was done within three days and I’m excited to be here.

“The expectations are high and so they should be. I think this club and this team have the personnel to gain promotion and get into Super League next year and we are all striving to do that.

“It has been a while since I played with Fordo and Killa but I was with Jesse (Sene-Lefao) last year and the year before with Junior (Moors). I’m really looking forward to it.

“Within the boundaries and how the team play and the structure, I just want to be the best player I can be for the club.

“The fans are definitely passionate, that’s one way of putting it! They are loud and proud and obviously within this great stadium they are on top of you. I’m definitely looking forward to having them behind me this time whenever I take a carry or make a tackle.”

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His arrival represents another big coup and statement of intent from a club who have made no secret of their expectations this season.

McDermott has been charged with supplying the