Catalans Dragons have announced the passing of former player Scott Dureau, aged 39, after a long battle with cancer.
Dureau played in Super League with Les Dracs for five years between 2011 and 2015, and made 96 appearances for the club. In that time, he scored 29 tries, kicked 340 goals and 11 drop goals.
The half-back came through the system at NRL side Newcastle Knights, and made 42 first-grade appearances for the club before his Super League switch.
Whilst at Catalans in 2014, he had surgery to remove a brain tumour, but the cancer returned in 2018, which required him to have chemotherapy.
After being initially told he had just 18 months to live, he has been fighting ever since, and after a brave and lengthy battle, he sadly died earlier this week.
A two-time Super League Dream Team member, Dureau retired from the sport in 2015 and will go down as one of Catalans’ most important overseas imports over the past two decades.
After hanging up the boots, he spent time on the Knights’ coaching staff through to the end of 2021.
The Dragons confirmed the sad news via social media. Translated from French, they said: “Les Dragons Catalans have learned with immense sadness of the passing of Scott Dureau.
“A former iconic player of the club, he had been courageously battling the illness for several years.
“Beyond the exceptional player that he was, Scott was a man cherished by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. His talent and numerous achievements on the field, but above all his humility and kindness, will forever be etched in our memories.
“In these painful moments, President Bernard Guasch and the entire club extend their most sincere condolences to his wife Libby, his two daughters Imogen and Everly, his family, and all his loved ones.”
Everyone at Serious About Rugby League sends their condolences to Scott’s family and friends at this sad time.
