Catalans Dragons issue Sam Tomkins update after injury setback

Catalans Dragons have issued an injury update on Sam Tomkins following his omission from this weekend’s Challenge Cup squad.

The Dragons have based themselves in England this week following Magic Weekend in order to prepare for Saturday’s Cup semi-final against Hull KR in York. However, they will have take on the Robins without Tomkins, who has flown back to France due to a knee issue.

The full-back had been with the squad in Yorkshire, but has returned to the Mediterranean to see a specialist in Montpellier regarding a knee infection.

It remains to be seen when he will be passed fit to play, but it comes after he was named in the squad for last weekend’s clash against Leigh Leopards. He didn’t play in the fixture and the news of his infection seems to offer an explanation as to why.

Sam Tomkins injury update given ahead of Catalans Dragons’ Challenge Cup semi-final

Tomkins has made just five appearances this season, with three of those outings coming in the Challenge Cup. In fact, Saturday’s game will be the first cup game he has missed this season, with Super League outings being limited due to injury.

The former England international injured his hamstring in action against Halifax Panthers in February and another injury picked up in the win over Salford at the start of April has seen him sit out of the last month of action.

Since his last appearance in Catalans colours, Tomkins has confirmed his plans to retire for a second time at the end of the season. The playmaker initially hung up his boots at the end of the 2023 Super League campaign but returned to action to help the Dragons out last summer.

The 36-year-old will officially bring the curtain down on his playing days at the end of the season, though, and he’ll be keen to make his return from injury with plenty of time to make an impact.

Catalans have made two changes to their squad this week with Tommy Makinson and Jordan Dezaria, the latter returning from his loan with Castleford Tigers, coming back in, while Tomkins and Leo Darrelatour drop out.