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2025 Season Preview: Catalans Dragons

29 Jan 2025

Catalans Dragons’ hopes of going one step further in 2024 were undone by a year of inconsistency and late season form.

Former Grand Finalists in 2023, the Dragons failed to make the top six a year on after a disappointing end to the campaign that saw them win just twice in eight games at a crucial stage.

But prior to this, Steve McNamara’s men had looked solid in the Play-Off positions and climbed as high as second place in various stages throughout the season.

Anything other than a top six finish will not suffice in 2025, as the Dragons fiercely aim bounce back and challenge at the top once more. And the club have put themselves in an extremely strong position to achieve this with their sensational off-season recruitment drive and an already vastly talented squad.

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— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) November 30, 2024

With a team boasting sheer quality and a wealth of experience, it’s gotten a lot of people predicting big things for the French side this season…

Ins & Outs

Ins: Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders), Ollie Partington (Salford), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters), Tevita Pangai Junior (Dolphins)

Outs: Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone, Jordan Abdull, Tom Davies, Micky McIlorum, Manu Ma’u, Matt Ikuvalu, Jarrod Wallace

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— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) January 7, 2025

Ones to watch

The Dragons’ lucrative signings could catch the eye of Super League in 2025, especially the return of fan favourite and former England veteran Elliott Whitehead.

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Welcome back to #SuperLeague & @DragonsOfficiel, Elliott Whitehead ? pic.twitter.com/8zl2QnYfln
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) January 10, 2025

Whitehead played for the Dragons previously between 2013 and 2015, before becoming a stalwart in the NRL’s Canberra Raiders side, where he has since made 205 appearances and become an iconic figure in both hemispheres.

This 35-year-old has a calm head on the shoulders with plenty of big game experience, including back in 2019, where he helped the Raiders to their first Grand Final in 25 years.

Consistently displaying attributes of strong leadership, determination and an impressive work ethic along with his sheer winning mentality, Whitehead should become an integral part of the Catalans team this year.

Joining him from Down Under are three notable names who fans can't wait to see in action - his former Raiders teammate and winger Nick Cotric, as well as halfback Luke Keary and powerhouse Tevita Pangai Junior to further bolster the squad.

Tommy Makinson makes the move from St Helens to replace wingers Tom Davies and Tom Johnstone who have departed the club to join Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity respectively. These are big boots to fill, but prolific try scorer Makinson should slot in perfectly, having been a superstar at the Saints for 13 years scoring over 200 tries on the right edge.

And who could forget workhorse and Catalans captain Benjamin Garcia? Garcia’s loyalty to the club since 2013 cannot go unnoticed, and during last year’s campaign, he was yet again a pillar of industry and work-rate in the middle of the field - comfortably topping the Dragons’ tackle count whilst being an inspirational leader to his teammates.

? @12GarciaBen pic.twitter.com/YZH7Bsp5jS
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) December 13, 2024

Next generation

21-year-old Cesar Rouge became a key member of Steve McNamara’s side in whichever position he was called on to play. He made 11 appearances in 2024 and will be pushing for a regular first team spot in 2025.

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet also signed his first professional contract with the Dragons in July last year. The 19-year-old youngster featured five times last season, making a positive impact from the bench, and can cover all positions in the back line.

Defining dates

Consistency is key for the Dragons in 2025. They must consistently perform throughout the year with focus on the finishing the regular season strong.

McNamara’s men won seven of their first eight games in 2024, so should look to match this tremendous start in the upcoming campaign.

They can ill-afford to take their foot off the gas, however, as how they perform in the later stages of the season is just as equally important.

Points difference proved to be the deciding factor between Catalans and not achieving a Play-Off place, and with another competitive year ahead, the Dragons must ensure they maintain any momentum heading into August and September’s matches.

Once again, the Dragons were a force to be reckoned with in Perpignan – winning ten out of 13 games at Stade Gilbert Brutus last year. So, continuing this trait on home soil is imperative.

Squad list

1 Sam Tomkins, 2 Tommy Makinson, 3 Arthur Mourgue, 4 Reimis Smith, 5 Nick Cotric, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Arthur Mourgue, 8 Tevita Pangai, 9 Benjamin Garcia, 10 Julian Bousquet, 11 Tariq Sims, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Oli Partington, 14 Alrix Da Costa, 15 Chris Satae, 16 Romain Navarrete, 17 Bailey Sironen, 18 Cesar Rouge, 19 Paul Seguier, Jordan Dezaria, 21 Theo Fages, 22 Fouad Yaha, 23 Matthieu Laguerre, 24 Franck Maria, 25 Tanguy Zenon, 26 Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, 27 Yacine Ben Adeslem, 28 Clement Martin