Rating each club’s transfers: Catalans Dragons

Ahead of the new Super League season, we continue to look at the transfer business each club has done so far.

This time, we look at a Catalans Dragons side, who are looking to build on last season’s seventh place finish and mount a sustained playoff challenge.

In

James Maloney (Penrith Panthers)

Josh Drinkwater (Hull KR)

Joel Tomkins (Hull KR)

Tom Davies (Wigan Warriors)

Jordan Dezaria (Toulouse)

Gavin Marguerite (Toulouse)

Out

Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield Giants)

Jodie Broughton (Halifax)

Greg Bird (Retired)

Tony Gigot (Released)

Matty Smith (Widnes Vikings)

Brayden Williame (St George-Illawara Dragons)

Analysis

There is still work to do for the Dragons this year, with the recent departure of Brayden Williame. However there is potential there.

In James Maloney, they have a multiple NRL title winner and a halfback who is proven on the international stage. However, at 31, there is that risk that his best years behind him. But if he can re-discover his form at Cronulla, he could be a great signing.

There is no doubt that their back line loses something without Tony Gigot. The versatile back was released by the club at the end of the season, after failing to agree a new deal.

The Dragons have added more depth to their backs however, with the signing of promising Wigan winger Tom Davies. Davies is hoping for more regular game time after a lengthy injury lay-off. They have also signed French international Gavin Marguerite.

One big positive for them is the re-signing of Josh Drinkwater. The Australian was at Hull KR last season after a successful spell with the Dragons. He won the Challenge Cup in 2018. He replaces Matty Smith, who has signed for Widnes.

Another hole left was by retiring Greg Bird. He made 81 appearances across two spells with the Dragons. They have given his squad number to Ben Garcia, who will move into the loose forward role from the second row.  It should be interesting to see how that works out.

They lost another big character as well in Kenny Edwards, but moved to replace him by re-uniting Joel Tomkins with brother Sam in the South of France. Joel signs after being granted an early release from his contract at Hull KR.

Rating

7/10