Catalans Dragons 2026 season preview
2025 recap
2025 was little short of a disaster for the Dragons, who finished in their lowest position since 2017.
High-profile signings like Luke Keary and Tevita Pangai Junior didn’t work out and coach Steve McNamara was sacked midway through the season.
Joel Tomkins’ appointment was made permanent towards the end of the year, just as Catalans had started to find some form, but there’ll need to be a huge improvement if they’re going to get back into the top six.
2025 position: 9th
Key signings
Toby Sexton (Canterbury Bulldogs), Solomona Faataape (Wests Tigers), Harvey Wilson (Salford Red Devils), Josh Allen (Dolphins), Zac Lipowicz (Penrith Panthers), Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Josh Simm (Castleford), Lewis Dodd (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Ben Condon (Widnes Vikings), Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e (Hull KR), Manase Kaho (Norths Devils), Kruise Leeming (Wigan – season-long loan)
Key departures
Sam Tomkins (Retirement), Theo Fages (Pia Donkeys), Tevita Pangai Jr (Sporting Club Leucate), Fouad Yaha (Albi), Arthur Romano (Hull FC), Paul Séguier (Carcassonne), Elliott Whitehead (Retirement), Tariq Sims (Retirement), Tanguy Zenon (Halifax Panthers), Bayley Sironen (TBC), Reimis Smith (Retirement), Luke Keary (Retirement), Jordan Dezaria (Hull KR), Cesar Rouge (Toulouse), Oliver Partington (Wigan)
Players to watch
Toby Sexton started 2025 as the Bulldogs’ chief playmaker in the NRL, before being dropped from first grade and forced to look oversesas for a new club. His arrival is a real coup for Catalans, given that he’s still only 24 and he didn’t look out of place Down Under. They’ll need to make the most of him though – he’s only in the south of France for a year before he heads to Perth Bears.
Sexton’s partner in the halves is likely to be Lewis Dodd, who’s back in Super League after a dismal spell in the NRL. Recruited as one of South Sydney’s marquee men last year, his Rabbitohs career never took off, and he played just six times for the Bunnies before being released. Like Sexton though, he’s still only 24, so his best years should still be ahead of him.
Young gun
Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e has already played for five clubs at the tender age of 22, but he’ll be hoping for a fresh start in the south of France. The fullback only managed a handful of appearances in Super League for former club Hull KR, but he’s impressed on loan at Oldham over the past couple of years, and he’ll be looking to establish himself in the Dragons’ side.
Our prediction – 8th
I’m expecting an improvement from Catalans this year, but I don’t think they’re one of the best six teams in the competition. As is always the case with the Dragons, there’s been a big turnover of players at the end of the year, so if the new crop can gel quickly, they could be a surprise package. I can only go on last year’s performances though, and I think they’ll fall short of the play-offs.
