Catalans Dragons assistant coach Ryan Sheridan addressed the reports that Joel Tomkins has left the club when speaking after the French side crashed out of the Challenge Cup.
St Helens handily beat Catalans with the Dragons losing 36-4, the same scoreline by which they lost to Saints in Super League earlier this year.
Giving an immediate reaction on Super League+, Sheridan criticised the ‘awful’ start, though he was not asked about the speculation surrounding Tomkins, with Love Rugby League having previously reported that the head coach had departed due to personal reasons.
Sheridan did field questions about Tomkins in his post-match presser, confirming: “I think there’s been something out in the press. It’s a personal matter with Joel,” Sheridan said, per All Out Rugby League.
“It’s been difficult. We’re thinking about Joel and the situation around him.”
Tomkins was only appointed as the club’s head coach last year, having taken interim charge after the May axing of Steve McNamara. Catalans now find themselves in a similar coachless situation.
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Catalans Dragons coach shares update on next steps
At times, particularly in the first half, Catalans did look like a coachless side with the Dragons’ discipline allowing St Helens easy metres which Paul Rowley’s side capitalised on.
Sheridan admitted: “We’ve tried to move forward as a group and manage it as best we can, but it has been tough. Subconsciously, it affects you as players and as a group.
“We’re a new team trying to find the right balance, and we’ve got to work through that. It’s going to be a challenging year, but we’ll keep working hard.”
As for the club’s next steps and if talks have progressed as to a replacement, the interim coach confirmed: “There’s been nothing as of yet. This has been going on, and as staff and playing group we’ve tried to support Joel as much as we can and do our jobs,” Sheridan said.
“I’m not sure what’s happening behind the scenes. We’ve got to put our hands up and work hard.”
