JEAN-PHILIPPE Baile has insisted his best is yet to come as he vowed to cement his position as one of the Bulls’ first-choice centres.
The close-season signing from Catalans Dragons made his debut in last weekend’s 34-4 win over Whitehaven, admitting afterwards he “could do better”.
And he aims to do just that in this Sunday’s crunch trip to Featherstone, a team Baile believes will finish in the Championship’s top four this year.
A hamstring injury sustained against Castleford in the Bulls’ opening friendly sidelined Baile for the league opener at Leigh – but now he is determined to keep his spot.
The 27-year-old said: “I can do better but it’s not easy when the weather is so horrible – there was a lot of wind, rain and snow with freezing temperatures!
“It was my first game and I had only played one trial match beforehand.
“I tried to help the team like I can and I got a bit of ball, but hopefully this week I get more quality ball.
“I want to build on my performance and hopefully have a great game each week.
“It’s good to have competition and when you have that, it’s good for me and the squad.
“I want to stay injury-free, play well and keep my place in the team.”
Baile can also play in the second row, but he wants to nail down the right-centre spot he occupied against Whitehaven.
He added: “I can play in a lot of positions, especially second row, but Jimmy wants me to play right centre.
“That’s where I’ve played most in training and hopefully where I will play again at Featherstone this weekend.”
Baile is expecting a stern test from Andy Hay’s side, who signed former Warrington props Paul Wood and Garreth Carvell during the summer along with ex-Bradford man Paul Sykes.
Rovers this week signed 25-year-old France half-back Remy Marginet on a permanent basis for the remainder of this season.
Marginet joined Rovers earlier this month on a trial basis and has played in the opening two games against Hunslet Hawks and Doncaster.
Baile said: “Remy is a very good player and we have played together for France. He’s fast, skilful and we need to watch him closely because he can be very dangerous.
“Whitehaven are a good team, they played well against us, but with all respect I think Featherstone are a better side.
“With players such as Wood, Carvell and Sykes in their side, I believe they will finish in the top four.”
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