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2025 Season Review: Catalans Dragons

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Catalans Dragons are set for a change in direction under new boss.

The Dragons’ 2025 saw a significant overhaul on and off the field, as the club moved on from an era of success under Steve McNamara to a new future led by rookie coach Joel Tomkins.

The Dragons were widely expected to challenge the top teams in Betfred Super League this year after an impressive recruitment drive that brought the likes of Luke Keary, Tommy Makinson, Elliott Whitehead, Tevita Pangai Junior and Nick Cotric to the club.

But the new combinations failed to gel sufficiently, and by mid-May the club had parted company with the experienced McNamara, a man who had led them to Challenge Cup glory and an Old Trafford Grand Final, having initially saved the Dragons’ Super League status.

McNamara’s exit was confirmed after a 40-0 loss at St Helens which followed a Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Hull KR, although just prior to that, Catalans had won seven from eight matches, hinting at the undoubted potential within their squad.

But Dragons owner Bernard Guasch decided it was time for a change of direction, and after a period of interim charge, former Wigan and Hull KR back rower Tomkins was handed the job of overseeing a new period at the Perpignan club.

Of Tomkins’ first 11 matches in charge the Dragons won just one - at home to Huddersfield in June - which was more a baptism of fire than a honeymoon period for the new head coach.

But they finished the season on a more positive note with four late victories, including arguably the performance of the season in a gritty 16-8 win at Play-Offs bound Leeds Rhinos, having won 11-0 at home to the same opposition in March.

What has happened there ?

Julian Bousquet looks to have won it in dramatic fashion for @DragonsOfficiel ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/eOcyc3iTsS
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 11, 2025

As always in the South of France, skipper Benjamin Garcia was the Dragons’ leader throughout, supported in the pack by the likes of Julian Bousquet and Chris Satae.

Makinson finished as the club’s top try scorer with nine just ahead of centre Reimis Smith, while hard-working hooker.

Alrix Da Costa chipped in with a useful five and Matthieu Laguerre was a soli presence out wide.

But possibly the biggest plus point was the performances of young full-back Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, a talented product of the club’s academy system who gave the side an extra dimension of creativity.

Twenty-year-old Aispuro-Bichet now has some big boots to fill.

The 2025 campaign marked the final season in the glittering Super League career of Sam Tomkins, who saw his impact limited to just five appearances before confirming his retirement for a second time.

A genuine legend of the competition, he will no doubt be an interested observer now as brother Joel is handed the task of bringing together a new look 2026 squad.

Among the new arrivals will be Toby Sexton, Charlie Staines and Solomona Faataape - the hope in Perpignan will be that they can come together more quickly than the class of 2025.

Key Man

Oliver Partington, the former Wigan loose forward, got through a heap of work in attack and defence, playing more minutes than any other forward.

Rising Star

Fancy full-back Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet really stepped up for his side in 2025, making 18 appearances.

Season Highlight

It came too late to significantly affect their league position, but the Dragons’ tough win at Leeds late in the campaign hinted at what might have been.