Catalans Dragons have confirmed their backroom staff ahead of the 2026 Super League season with two former players returning to Perpignan.
Joel Tomkins will be in charge at the Stade Gilbert Brutus next season as he will be heading up a new look Catalans side in what will be his first full campaign as a head coach. He has been backed with a raft of signings from down under, while a couple of additions have been made from elsewhere in Super League, too.
As such, there will be big expectations on the Dragons next year as they strive to recover from this year’s ninth placed finish, which is far from what is considered good enough in the south of France.
And, he will have the support of two people who know the Perpignan club inside and out, with Mitchell Pearce and Micky McIlorum confirmed to be returning as assistant coaches.
McIlorum is still playing of course and he has the opportunity to return to France as a Grand Final winner as he pushes to recover from his ankle injury to feature for Hull KR before their season comes to an end. He has already won the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield this season and his focus will be on securing a historic treble before bowing out and hanging up his boots.
He spent seven years with Catalans as a player before moving on at the end of last season, making 130 appearances, featuring in two Grand Finals and winning the Challenge Cup.
Pearce left Catalans at the end of the 2023 season to retire after spending two years with the club. However, he has been helping Tomkins out recently and he will now join the coaching staff permanently as an attack coach.
Catalans Dragons appoint Mitchell Pearce and Micky McIlorum
“I am delighted to have the coaching staff confirmed for next season,” Tomkins said. “With Micky and Mitch working alongside Ryan Sheridan and Mathis Giroux, I believe we have the knowledge, support and trust needed to be an effective coaching team and help the players achieve success on the field.
“I’ve been close to Micky for over 20 years and his mentality, attitude and personal standards both on and off the field will bring positive change to our environment.
“Mitch’s career as a player speaks for itself and he thinks about the game in great detail, he will bring a new dimension to the way we attack.”
Mcllorum said on returning to the Stade Gilbert Brutus: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Bernard for his trust in me and offering me this role.
“I am delighted to be working alongside Joel and Mitchell, a great team with whom I look forward to working alongside to get the Dragons back competing against the best. I am happy to be going back home to be with my family and back to the Stade Gilbert and reconnect with the passionate supporters.
“I am proud to represent this club and to share the next two years with you. We will give everything we have, every day, to bring pride back to the Catalans Dragons jersey!”
Mitchell Pearce added: “I am excited to work at Catalans Dragons. I love the area, I love the club and want to help bring success to the team.”
