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Catalans Dragons name first squad since Steve McNamara exit as Wigan Warriors man returns

Catalans Dragons face Wigan Warriors on Saturday on the back of losing head coach Steve McNamara but the team news has now been confirmed.

Whilst McNamara’s exit has not been confirmed by the club yet, with the explanation being that it’s being delayed as legal issues are worked out, his exit has been confirmed.

Sam Tomkins spoke on Sky Sports News to confirm the English head coach’s departure and it will be Tomkins’ brother Joel who leads the team in Perpignan against Super League champions Wigan.

It will certainly be a trial by fire for Tomkins in his first interim match, particularly as he faces the job of rousing the squad after a 40-0 loss to St Helens last week.

As for Wigan, they’re coming off the back of a sixth consecutive win with Matt Peet’s side starting to find their groove in 2025 now.

Both sides have now confirmed their 21-man squads for Saturday’s game, which will kick off at 5:30 pm at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Catalans Dragons team news

Catalans’ squad announcement made no note of who had selected the squad with Steve McNamara’s exit still unconfirmed by the club, however, they have confirmed three changes.

After only naming a 20-man squad last week, Catalans are back to a full complement of 21 as Elliott Whitehead returns from suspension and both Tommy Makinson and Franck Maria return.

They return in place of Arthur Romano, who had only returned last week, and Bayley Sironen.

Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Tommy Makinson, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Tevita Pangai Jr, Tariq Sims, Elliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington, Alrix Da Costa, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Cesar Rouge, Paul Seguier, Jordan Dezaria, Theo Fage, Fouad Yaha, Matthieu Laguerre, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Clement Martin, Giovanni Descalzi

Wigan Warriors team news

Zach Eckersley was stretchered off against Leigh Leopards with the young outside back sent to the hospital for scans, which thankfully came back clear.

Despite leaving the field on a stretcher, Eckersley is named in the squad meaning he cannot have failed a HIA thus he’s available for this week.

The only change made by Matt Peet from the 21-man squad named last week is the return of Ethan Havard in place of Taylor Kerr. England international Havard is in line to play his first minutes of the season if selected.

Eckersley, or Jacob Douglas, could play in place of Abbas Miski who is still recovering from surgery on his knee.

Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Jack Farrimond, Jacob Douglas

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