Catalans Dragons have had a turbulent year to say the least, following a coaching change for the first time since 2018 and over a dozen players leaving the club at the end of the season.
Joel Tomkins has taken the coaching reigns on a full time basis, following an interim role earlier this season. He is contracted for the next two seasons, as he tries to elevate the Dragons back to where they once were.
After a Challenge Cup win in 2018, a League Leaders Shield in 2021 and Grand Final appearances in 2021 and 2023, the potential of the Perpignan club is there to see. With new structures in place that has seen an overturn in the recruitment model, the next part of Tomkins’ tenure is to assign his new coaching staff for 2026 and beyond.
Owner and founder of the club, Bernard Guasch, has this week confirmed who those coaching additions will be, as two familiar faces return to the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
First, former Dragons halfback and State of Origin winner, Mitchell Pearce, will link up with ex-teammate Tomkins as an assistant, and he will be joined by current Hull KR hooker Michael McIlorum, who is set to hang up his boots after a 19-year career.
Linked with the role for the majority of the season, the former Dragon moved back to the UK ahead of this season, after seven seasons in the south of France, but looks set to return in a coaching role to continue his rugby league career.
Catalans Dragons owner confirms 2026 coaching hires
Speaking to French newspaper, L’Independant, the 65-year-old said: “They will bring their experience, their charisma and a new state of mind. Three coaches aged 35 to 40 is a daring bet but I feel that we are entering a new era.”
Guasch also admitted that his side have been too focused on bringing in experienced overseas talent that may be past their peak, and it has come back to haunt them this campaign.
From next season, a shift in recruitment focus will come in, with coach Tomkins having the final say on who he brings in.
“We can no longer go looking for players aged 32, 33, 34, who have already been broken everywhere,” said Guasch. “Of course there are one or two who can still succeed, but it is no longer possible to make a policy of it.
“It’s the end of the cycle for this team. There will already be 14 departures and there could even be more. But it was necessary to get off to a solid start again. And this renewal will come through a strong coach, Joel Tomkins.
He added: “He is young but with a strong character and he has to start with a clean sheet. But it is he who will write his own paper, he who will make his group, his squad.
“Recruitment is not the president’s business, the president can validate or not, but the final decision always rests with the coach.
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