Ambitious Championship outfit Oldham have beaten strong competition to sign two outside backs with Super League experience.
The Roughyeds were among the Championship clubs who applied to join Super League despite being only one year out of League One, such has been their progress and ambition.
Whilst they were unsuccessful in that bid, they had still assembled a squad packed with talent for next season and they’ve now added to it with their first two signings for 2026 confirmed.
Former Leigh Leopards man Tom Nisbet was the first of those signings with the outside back having played in the Queensland Cup since his exit from the Leopards, whilst Huddersfield Giants’ Jake Bibby is the other recruit.
Bibby was an in-demand player after seeing his contract expire with the Giants and Oldham have beaten Super League sides to his signature, with the club’s first recruits for 2026 looking set to create an impressive backline that will be anchored by Ryan Brierley.
Super League hopefuls Oldham make first signings for 2026
Nisbet joins the club after a year in Australia playing for Townsville Blackhawks in the Q Cup, where he made 21 appearances across the season.
He’d sought out the move down under after his exit from Leigh in 2024 with the former St Helens academy graduate signing a one-year deal with the option of a further year at Oldham.
His position versatility will make him a valuable asset to Sean Long, with Nisbet explaining: “I am a strong runner, safe and trustworthy. Centre is my favourite position but I can cover back row, wing and full-back.
“I know this club is building and it really impresses me what Mike and chairman Bill Quinn are doing with the club.
“Last year they did well in the Championsip after getting promoted and I know there is a push for Super League now. Hopefully we can get there.”
🗣️ “I had Super League offers but there was something about wanting to help this club.”
Jake Bibby on why he turned down the top flight to join Roughyeds.#rugbyleague
— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) October 31, 2025
Huddersfield Giants man finds new home with Oldham
As for Bibby, he arrives after spending three seasons at Huddersfield with the former Wigan and Salford man also able to play both centre or wing.
Like Nisbet, he’s signed a one-year deal with the option of another year and the 29-year-old explained how he had snubbed Super League sides to make the move to Oldham.
“This is an ambitious club who just missed Super League, and I have Super League ambitions,” Bibby explained.
That has set us up for a good pre-season and Championship season and hopefully we can push on. This club is only going up and up and I feel like there is good quality players and coaching here to keep progressing.
I had Super League offers but there was something about wanting to help this club. You get a bit more out of that.”
He also admitted to having a tough couple of years at Huddersfield but insists he’s ready to prove himself at Oldham.
Bibby explained: “I wasn’t playing my greatest rugby at Huddersfield over the last couple of years but I have felt I am getting back on the horse and I have something to prove.”
Chairman Bill Quinn said: “This is yet another stellar signing for Oldham Rugby League and a reminder of our Super League aspirations. Players like Jake are Super League-quality and show our intentions to keep building here year on year.”
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