I’LL NOT SHOW MERCI
Eloi aims to thank French fans by slaying Dragons
ELOI PELISSIER will say a heartfelt thanks to Catalans fans tonight – and then try to make them miserable.
The Leigh hooker is still upset that the Dragons told him they were releasing him last year after their final home game.
The local-born player, who came through their Academy and made his debut in 2011, was gutted he couldn’t say farewell to the crowd.
Now, eight months later, Pelissier returns for the first time and hopes the fans will remember him fondly.
Fight
He said: “I was disappointed I could not say goodbye because I love the Catalans fans and they always supported me.
“It is eight months late but I hope I play because I want to say thank you.”
Pelissier hopes the Dragons will win their fight to stay in Super League – but not at the expense of Leigh today.
He added: “We want to win. I have a lot of family and friends who support Catalans but they will be happy for me if we get a great result.”
Bottom club Leigh already look doomed ® to a relegation battle, just a year after getting promoted.
Pelissier’s old French side are also facing the prospect of a survival scrap in the Middle 8s after a disastrous season.
Steve McNamara, who replaced sacked Laurent Frayssinous, takes charge of his second game tonight having lost his first 24-16 at Warrington.
They are four points adrift of the top eight and need a win over Leigh to keep alive their slim hopes of sneaking out of the Middle 8s.
Pelissier said: “I am a little surprised that Catalans are where they are because they have got good players.
“It is a shame because Catalan is a great place and they deserve to be in a better position.
“I hope they stay in Super League because rugby league is very important in France and I hope for rugby league that they stay up.”
Greg Bird, Krisnan Inu and Justin Horo all return from injury, while new signing Daniel Mortimer could make his Leigh debut.