Featherstone Rovers confirm return of Dane Chisholm following rejected attempt for Widnes star

Josh McAllister
Dane Chisholm, SWPix.

Picture by Manuel Blondeau/SWpix.com.

Featherstone Rovers have confirmed the return of Australian playmaker Dane Chisholm from Keighley Cougars. 

It’s the second signing in as many days for the Championship outfit, having confirmed the loan addition of Wigan youngster and half-back Logan Astley on a short-term arrangement.

Chisholm, 32, left Featherstone midway through the 2022 campaign after falling down the pecking order under then-coach Brian McDermott.

He made the move to then-League 1 side Keighley, helping the side win promotion to the Championship in an unbeaten campaign in 2022.

The former France international first featured for the Rovers in 2019, going on score 26 tries in 47 appearances for the club.

He featured in the 2021 Million Pound Game as Toulouse secured promotion to Super League with a 34-12 victory, as well as the 2019 defeat to Toronto Wolfpack.

Chisholm’s arrival bolsters Sean Long’s options in his backline, with Mark Kheirallah recently returning from injury and Wales international Caleb Aekins featuring in the halves.

Having started the year on loan with the club, Warrington youngster Riley Dean has also joined Castleford for the remainder of the season.

Dane Chisholm on return to Featherstone

Tom Gilmore turns down move to Featherstone

Love Rugby League understands that Featherstone were in the market for Widnes key man Tom Gilmore for an immediate move, rejected by the 29-year-old former Super League playmaker.

Gilmore returned to the Vikings for his second stint ahead of the current Championship season, having featured for Batley across the last two years.

It is believed that Gilmore, who has also played for London Broncos, Halifax and Salford, turned down the move with a year yet remaining on his Widnes contract for 2024.

A product of the club’s academy, Gilmore has made 64 appearances for the side to date, scoring 15 tries and kicking 89 goals.

He has been limited to just six appearances so far in 2023 having suffered a ruptured pectoral injury in February, undergoing surgery.

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Championship Featherstone Rovers