Dragons face Castleford without Bird

Greg Bird is the biggest casualty of the Dragons pres-season with a broken bone keeping him out for at least a month.

Otherwise we are at full strength and will be looking to hit the ground running after the dismal start to 2018 we endured.

Here is the squad.

1. Tony GIGOT
3. David MEAD
4. Brayden WILIAME
5. Lewis TIERNEY
6. Samisoni LANGI
7. Matty SMITH
8. Rémi CASTY
9. Micky McILORUM
10. Sam MOA
11. Kenny EDWARDS
12. Benjamin GARCIA
14. Julian BOUSQUET
15. Mickael SIMON
16. Benjamin JULLIEN
17. Matt WHITLEY
18. Alrix DA COSTA
19. Mickael GOUDEMAND
24. Jason BAITIERI
29. Sam TOMKINS

Domestic side hammer Avignon (UPDATED WITH VIDEO)

The French domestic league side are starting to get some momentum after their latest victory.

The side traveled to Avignon and won 16-54.

Junior match highlights are below as they also won in Avignon.

And here are the domestic team highlights...

Tierney hat-trick sees off spirited TOxii

Sam Tomkins continued to hit the ground running as Dragons beat Toulouse on Friday evening at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Steve McNamara had picked his strongest available side and was rewarded as the Dracs raced out of the blocks.

David Mead continued his hot streak (which goes back to last season) and crossed within the first ten minutes.

The flood gates opened and by the interval the Dragons were 22 points to  0 ahead. Lewis Tierney had helped himself to three tries of his own.

The second half was less of an occasion with numerous substitutions and changes.

As with last week the Dragons were undone by their visitors and TOxii were back to one score before the end of the match.

It was a decent hit out and decent for the crowd to see a close encounter. Although I am sure they would have preferred an easy Catalans win. However, two years ago we managed to lose this game so progress is being made, I suppose.

On to snowy Yorkshire (if the Countryfile forecast is to be believed) this Friday and the big kick off.

Catalans Dragons (22) 22

T : David Mead, Lewis Tierney 3
G : Sam Tomkins 3

Toulouse Olympique (0) 18

T : Stan Robin, Gavin Marguerite, Paul Marcon
G : Mark Kheirallah 3

Dragons name full strength line up for Toulouse friendly

After a comfortable win over the President xii last weekend, Steve McNamara has recalled a number of big names for the clash with Toulouse tomorrow.

Looking at that list its a really impressive line up and fingers crossed we can gel and get another strong performance and result.

1. Tony GIGOT
3. David MEAD
4. Brayden WILIAME
5. Lewis TIERNEY
6. Samisoni LANGI
7. Matty SMITH
8. Rémi CASTY
9. Micky McILORUM
10. Sam MOA
11. Kenny EDWARDS
12. Benjamin GARCIA
13. Greg BIRD
14. Julian BOUSQUET
15. Mickael SIMON
16. Benjamin JULLIEN
17. Matt WHITLEY
19. Mickael GOUDEMAND
22. Lucas ALBERT
23. Antoni MARIA
24. Jason BAITIERI
25. Arthur ROMANO
29. Sam TOMKINS
Thomas AMBERT

Welcome to the 2019 Betfred Superleague

Here we go people. Let's see where the next 10 months takes us and whether the Dragons can go back to back in terms of trophy winning seasons.

Catalans back in Challenge Cup (UPDATED)

The RFL and Catalans Dragons announced an agreement had been reached for the club to participate in this seasons Challenge Cup. 

This came as part of the output to promote that both the mens and womens competitions would benefit from considerable sponsorship by bookmaker Coral. 

We are naturally please that our team can participate in the competition and are grateful that common sense has prevailed. 

The fact that no figures were revealed by either party makes us think that someone has had to make a considerable climb down, but we move on from here. 

Tomkins stars as Dragons beat Presidents XII

Three assists (maybe more if you count the pass before the scoring pass) was a brilliant return as Sam Tomkins made his Catalans bow on Friday evening.

With David Mead in try scoring form outside Tomkins there was plenty to admire in the attacking play if still some head shaking moments in defence.

Enjoy the match pictures by clicking here.

Dragons Catalans (26) 38

T : Arthur Romano 2, Tony Gigot, David Mead 3, Lambert Belmas
G : Sam Tomkins 3, Matty Smith 2

XIII du Président (6) 14

T : Bastien Escamilla, Jordan Flovie, Bernard Gregorius
G : Joan Guasch

Deal reached for Dragons to participate in Challenge Cup according to Total RL website

The well respected website Total RL is reporting that a deal has been done to ensure Catalans Dragons will participate in this seasons Challenge Cup.

(Although the cynic in me says we will get reffed out of it before the semi finals).

You can read the article here.

Jouffret leaves Dragons on eve of season

A short statement from owner Bernard Guasch

President Bernard Guasch: "After years of collaboration, Catalans Dragons’ CEO Christophe Jouffret no longer holds any position at the club."

Presidents xii to face Dragons on Friday.

Some familiar names and faces will be lining up to represent Elite1 against Catalans. A number of former and current domestic league players will be trying to put one over the reining Challenge Cup holders. 

Lilian Albert

Arnaud Bartès

Charles Bouzinac

Bastien Canet

Damien Cardace

Bastien Escamilla

Jordan Flovie

Pita Godinet

Jayson Goffin

Bernard Gregorius

Joan Guasch

Mathieu Khedimi

Thomas Lasvenes

Thibaud Margalet

Cyril Molinier

Romain Pourret

Saia Tanginoa

Benjamin Vergniol

Valentin Yesa