Casty joins Toulouse

 Great news as Papa finds a club for 2021. 

We wish him well, 

Catalans considering move

UK rugby league website Total RL is reporting that the club has already held talks about relocating to England for the 2021 Superleague season. 

The ongoing Covid pandemic seems to be causing the competition (which is already being delayed) to consider how to accommodate our club. 

Last season we ninja'd in and out of the UK by flying there and back same day. 

The cost of that on the club has been seen by the number of players released and as yet not replaced, whilst physically the travel meant the team just ran out of legs in the semi final at St Helens. 

Whilst my preferred option would be to play our home matches at home, so-called big clubs like Leeds refused to fulfil away matches in Perpignan last season so it looks like a precedent has been set there. 

Here is the article in full for you to have a read and form your opinion. 

I would expect the rest of Super league to fully compensate us for our losses from accommodation and home revenues, especially if English grounds open at some point this year. 

Avignon 14-20 St Esteve

Jordan Flovie scored a length of the field wonder try which ended up being the difference in this windswept match over the weekend. 

Wonder try from Flovie (picture from www.catalansdragons.com) 

The visitors had the wind for the first half and built a decent advantage over their hosts. But they were sloppy in the early stages of the second before shipping back to back tries which tested their defending.

We held on though and that's a real positive to take forward.  

Aside from Flovie scoring a belter, the worlds tallest man Corretin Le Cam crossed for a try. He was brought down about 5 metres out but was that tall and had such long arms that he was able to dab down. 

It was a great try!

Avignon (0) 14

T : Clement, Mendy, Jouffret

G : Jouffret

St Estève XIII Catalan (14) 20

T : Baby, Rougé, Le Cam, Flovie

G : Brochon (2)

Avignon : Rey, De Monte, Delor, Avis, Ghanem, Jouffret, Payne, Navarro, Ganz, Dorce-Hantz, Clement, Pourret, Comtat

Subs : Naji, Durandal, Mendy, Jullien

St Estève XIII Catalan : Brochon, J. Flovie, Laguerre, Carré, Baby, Meresta-Doucet, Rougé, Vailhen, Zafra, Cozza, Dezaria, Le Cam, Perez

Subs : Tison, Laurent, T. Chan, Scimone

 

We are at home to Albi next week. 

Where's Izzy?

There are reports coming out of the local press in Catalunya to suggest that Covid-19 imposed travel restrictions are causing rumours that Israel Folau will not be back in 2021. 

After joining in 2020 in a blaze of negative publicity Folau refuted suggestions that he was chasing the Euro's in the Top 14 and that he would spend a full year with the Dragons this time out. 

But after stories linking him to Toulon rugby union recently it now appears he isn't showing up in France any time soon. 

We will be keeping an eye on this... 

St Esteve win close game with Lezignan

 St Estève XIII Catalan (6) 14

T : T. Chan, Franco

G : Brochon 3

Lézignan (2) 8

T : J. Guasch

G : Marginet 2

A dropped ball after a length of the field break swung this match in the home sides favour and left Lezignan empty handed in this derby. 

Boosted by playing at Stade Gilbert Brutus and live television coverage this was a battle in the murk. 

It was played with passion and commitment but without the spite of the recent match at Palau.

Romain Franco scored the decisive try with four defenders hanging off him but unable to prevent him crashing over the line. 

Everything Rugby League website features Stade Gilbert Brutus

 Click here to read the article on their website.