The RFL

France captain Olivier Elima believes that the inclusion of 16 Catalans Dragons players in the national squad will prove to be a huge advantage for the French as they prepare for their Gillette Four Nations opener against England in Doncaster on Friday night.

Elima hopes that the French can tap into the impressive away form which propelled the Catalans Dragons into the engage Super League Play-off Semi Finals on the back of three consecutive triumphs in England.

Speaking to www.gillette4nations.co.uk Olivier Elima said: “It’s a big competition, this is the first time we have been included and it’s one of the best really in international Rugby League. We can’t wait to play against England, everyone is excited and wants to get a good performance against what we know is a good England side.

“The first game is really important for the confidence of the guys. As a club with the Dragons we travelled very well at the end of the season so there’s no reason why can’t we continue with that.”

The Catalans second rower strongly believes that the plethora of fellow Dragons in the squad will aid the cohesion of the French side as they prepare to take on the world’s Rugby League super powers.

“This is definitely going to be good for us, even down the left it’s the same side as the Dragons as we have Thomas Bosc, Dimitri Pelo and probably Jean Philippe Baile as well.

“It’s going to help definitely, but everyone’s going to have to step up to play against these big teams. We know that we have good quality as well but we might have been a bit far from this height previously in international games so we’re just going to try and do our best.”

France lost to England 66-12 in Paris back in June but Elima is eager to confine that to history and is proud to be leading his team out against Tony Smith’s men at the Keepmoat Stadium on Friday.

He said: “The game is past, it is behind us, we need to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes. You have to remember that we had about 10 players missing.

“It’s a great thing for me being captain of the country. It’s something I would not have thought of a few years back, but now I’m captain and I’m really proud of it.

“I know there are a lot of responsibilities which come with it and I’m trying to lead the way on the pitch and off the pitch as well, we’ve got a lot of young players and I’m trying to inspire them,  I’m really proud in general to be captain of the team and will be even prouder if we win on Friday.”

France kick off the Gillette Four Nations with a match against England at Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, on Friday night.

Tickets are available from £20 and £10 for concessions and season ticket holders at all engage Super League and Co-operative Championship clubs can buy tickets from just £10.

To purchase tickets, please call 0844 856 11 13 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk

For the latest information on the Gillette Four Nations, please visit www.gillette4nations.co.uk

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