2023 Season Preview: Catalans Dragons

The Dragons failed to emulate their 2021 heroics after a frustrating end to the 2022 Betfred Super League season. Despite a third placed finish, Steve McNamara's side exited the Play-Offs on its first weekend, going down to Leeds Rhinos during a feisty affair in Perpignan. Although their effort across the season couldn't be faltered, the Dragons lacked the cutting edge and consistency needed to battle for honours. 

McNamara didn't hold back during the off-season, offloading 10 of his first team squad - some out of necessity and others out of choice. There is a passing of the guard in the Catalans squad with a number of Frenchman expected to play important roles in 2023. Alongside their ever-growing crop of local talent, McNamara has added experienced players such as Siua Taukeiaho, Romain Navarrete and Manu Ma'u to their forward pack, as well as exciting outside backs Tom Johnstone and Adam Keighran. Consistency will be the key for Catalans in 2023.

Ins & Outs

Ins

Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters), Manu Ma'u (Hull FC), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Romain Navarrete (Toulouse Olympique), Adam Keighran (Sydney Roosters)

Outs

Gil Dudson (Warrington Wolves), Sam Kasiano (Warrington Wolves), Josh Drinkwater (Warrington Wolves), Joe Chan (Melbourne Storm), Benjamin Jullien (Pia XIII Baroudeur), Dean Whare (Pia XIII Baroudeur), Mathieu Cozza (Featherstone Rovers), Corentin Le Cam (released), Samisoni Langi (Wakefield Trinity), Dylan Napa (released)

Ones to watch

2023 stars

The arrival of Siosiua Taukeiaho at the Dragons in 2023 is an exciting and shrewd piece of business. His signature has become even more important after the Dragons offloaded three of their most experienced front rowers following a major clear out during the off-season. Taukeiaho's experience, power and skill through the middle third will be crucial to the Dragons' attack this season. Expect him to play a major role in their pack throughout the 2023 campaign.

Josh Drinkwater's somewhat surprise exit from the Dragons has opened the door for Arthur Morgue to cement a spot in the starting side. Mourge's opportunities have been relatively limited over the past two seasons - he has typically starred from the bench or filled in whilst Catalans' starting playmakers have been injured. But Drinkwater's departure should afford Morgue a chance to make the half-back spot his own, something he has been striving for since bursting onto the scene in Betfred Super League. 

"I want Arthur Mourgue to be the next Thomas Bosc" ?

Big things expected of @DragonsOfficiel's @ArthurMourgue in 2023 ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/X1hLpYh6EV
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) December 13, 2022

Next generation

Tiaki Chan enjoyed his first taste of Super League in 2022. He joined his younger brother, Joe, in the Dragons forward pack and will hope to build on his three appearances ahead of the new campaign. Whilst Joe has taken an opportunity in the NRL with Melbourne Storm, and after plenty of departures across the Dragons pack, Tiaki has a great chance to stake a claim for a more regular spot in Catalans' 17.

He starred for France's B team during a tough contest against England Knights in the off-season and showed he's capable of matching the intensity and skill of some of Super League's brightest talents. 

Defining dates

A lack of consistency proved to be the Dragons undoing in 2022. After Round 13, the Dragons managed to win back-to-back games just once - something they will need to rectify if they want to emulate their 2021 heroics. 

And the Dragons face a tough three-week period during the second half of 2023 which begins in Round 18. They host Huddersfield Giants - a side which downed the Dragons twice in 2022 - before a trip to the Champions in Round 19. Catalans have failed to beat Saints at the Totally Wicked Stadium over the past three seasons, presenting another huge challenge for Steve McNamara's side. 

The final game in that trifecta is a clash with Salford - a side that beat the Dragons both home and away during the final third of the 2022 season.

Squad list

1. Arthur Mourgue, 2. Tom Davies, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Matthieu Laguerre, 5. Fouad Yaha, 6. Tyrone May, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Mike McMeeken, 9. Micky McIlorum, 10. Julian Bousquet, 11. Matt Whitley, 12. Paul Seguier, 13. Benjamin Garcia, 14. Alrix Da Costa, 15. Mickael Goudemand, 16. Romain Navarrete, 17. Cesar Rouge, 18. Tiaki Chan, 19. Arthur Romano, 22. Siua Taukeiaho,  23. Jordan Dezaria, 24. Tom Johnstone, 25. Bastien Scimone, 26. Manu Ma'u, 27. L?o Laurent, 28. Ugo Tison, 29. Sam Tomkins, 30. Loan Castano, 31. Tanguy Zenon, 32. Mike Parenti.