JEAN-PHILIPPE Baile says being close to a number of his fellow Frenchmen has helped him to settle in West Yorkshire.

The Bulls centre lives in Tingley with Wakefield prop Mickael Simon following both men’s close-season moves from Catalans Dragons.

The pair regularly socialise with Salford’s Theo Fages and Hull KR duo Kevin Larroyer and John Boudebza, who both joined the Robins from Catalans at the end of last season.

Baile misses this weekend’s trip to Batley due to a minor hamstring strain.

He said: “I’m living with Mickael and all is good, so I’m happy and have settled well here.

“Mickael is happy too, he played well for Wakefield against St Helens last week, and having a mate here has helped us both to adapt to life in England.

“This is my first experience of living in this country and it’s good to have a number of friends nearby.

“Mickael and I sometimes see Theo Fages from Salford and Kevin Larroyer and John Boudebza at Hull KR.

“When we have a day off, the French boys meet up and have a good laugh together.

“My girlfriend is still living in France and I signed a two-year contract with Bradford. For the first year of that, she will stay in France because she has a good job but maybe she will come and live over here with me next year.”

Although not playing this weekend, Baile is happy with his contribution but he admitted he can do better.

Baile said: “The team has played well in the last three games and I’ve tried to give all I can.

“Maybe I can give more again in training and do my job better.

“I like to play in the centres but I can play a little bit everywhere.

“Being in the centres is a good position to get some decent ball to attack the opposition.

“We’ve got good attacking ability with Lee Gaskell, Jake Mullaney, Ryan Shaw and Adam O’Brien.

“I played against Gaskell when he came to prominence with St Helens and he’s a very good player.

“I think he could possibly be the best player in the Championship.”