The Featherstone side that comes to Spotland on Sunday could find itself bolstered by a fresh injection of Gallic flair.

Rovers have signed 24 year old French International half back Maxime Greseque for the rest of the season.

Arriving on Thursday, 24 year old Greseque has represented France at senior level on a number of occasions and, having completed his club duties with Pia Donkeys, is in contention for a start against Hornets.

Described by Rugby League World's French coorespondent Cliff Spracklen as "... a rarity in the game, a proper, crafty half-back, with good eyes and hands in the old Fev tradition..." Greseque joins fellow French International Freddy Zitter at Post Office Road.

After a stuttering start to the campaign, Featherstone seemed to have engaged the right gear and began picking up wins (they're currently 7th with five wins from ten games) - but their particular train really hit the buffers last time out as they got whacked 75-20 at home to Leigh - a record defeat. They were 47-nil down at half time - and we've got a reasonable idea of how bad that looks.

Coach Gary Price will be looking for a vast improvement this week and a glance down the Fev side indicates that they'll be durable and workmanlike. Their pack is bolstered by HKR's former Bradford Bulls back-rower Adam Sullivan who's joined Rovers for a month. Elsewhere up front, the graft of non-stop prop (and kicking machine) Stuart Dickens allied to the passion of hooker Richard Chapman should keep Hornets' pack on its toes.

With only Rob Ball's rib injury to report from Whitehaven, the Bobster will have made good use of the blank weekend to recharge Hornets' batteries. Well in the game for 72 minutes at the recre, we;ve shown that Horneta can compete effectively with the best in this division - and if we can keep the penalties down and keep our concentration at key moments, the wins'll start to come.

And to see how much winning really matters, you had to see the faces in the dressing room after the Whitehaven game.

Sunday's game begins a run of home fixtures that will make or break our season. Five home games to come - ten possible points and a shot at survival in NL1 in our own hands. There's no doubt that Goulding's side has spirit - and it's a spirit that's permeating through the club.

Forget all the bullshit that the Observer sprays across its front page - Sunday afternoon is what it's really about. Rochdale Hornets versus Featherstone Rovers. Proper passion. Proper spirit. Proper Rugby League.

Your club needs you - and you'd be barmy to miss it.