How Catalans Dragons could line-up in 2026 following Lewis Dodd capture and nine other signings

Perpignan will be home to a heap of new signings next year, with Catalans Dragons coach Joel Tomkins completing a mass overhaul of his playing squad for 2026.

The Dragons announced that 13 players from this year will leave the club, with many players already securing new deals for next season.

The French side have already announced a number of signings ahead of next year, with a total of 10 players set for a move to Les Dracs, with Ben Condon being the latest.

Established NRL players such as Charlie Staines and Toby Sexton will make the move to Super League, with former St Helens half-back Lewis Dodd returning to the competition after a year with South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Here is how the Dragons could line up next year, and on paper, the squad looks one of the best in the competition.

Catalans Dragons predicted 2026 line-up as Lewis Dodd among nine new signings

Full-back: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet

Injuries to Sam Tomkins and Arthur Mourgue’s mid-season move to Hull KR meant that the Dragons were crying out for a new number one. Academy talent Aispuro-Bichet was the man that was given the chance, and he certainly showed he has potential. He ended the season as the Dragons’ top point scorer, and another pre-season under Tomkins, will certainly help his progression, and he could become Catalans’ first choice full-back next season.

Wingers: Tommy Makinson and Charlie Staines

Makinson had a poor season by his standards, but that was not helped by his team’s underperformance. With a stronger playing group by his side, Makinson still has the ability to be one of the league’s best finishers, and with a World Cup at the end of next year, will have extra motivation to perform in 2026.

Staines is the first new signing that will make the starting squad. Able to play anywhere across the back line, the former Wests Tigers man is most known for playing on the wing, and that is where he is expected to play next year. The 25-year-old has scored 38 tries in 79 appearances as a winger in his career.

Centres: Solomona Faataape and Nick Cotric

Faataape also joins from Wests Tigers, however he only managed to make two NRL appearances this year due to injury. Still only 24, Faataape will be part of the new-look back-line that coach Tomkins is building for next year.

Cotric was used as a winger last year, but Staines’ arrival will likely see him shift to the centres. The former Canberra Raiders man has more experience in that position, but if that plan fails to come off, the Dragons have also signed former Castleford Tigers and St Helens centre Josh Simm, who could also play in that position.

Halves: Lewis Dodd and Toby Sexton

A new look halves partnership for next year, Catalans have two young, exciting playmakers to guide them around the field next year. However, there is now a question of who plays where, and will it be successful. Both players are used to being controlling half-backs, meaning that one of the two will have to change into the stand-off role, and become a ball-playing, attacking half that poses more of a running threat.

Sexton has signed on a two-year deal, with Dodd only signing for the year, so the Dragons have aired on the side of caution should their spine combination not work out.

Props: Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui and Julian Bousquet

The loss of Tevita Pangai Jr to Warrington has seen the Dragons bring in Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, the younger brother of Australia and Queensland star, Tino. The 23-year-old prop has been used as a substitute during his time in the NRL, but he is expected to be one of the first choice props going into next season.

Alongside him in the front row will be Julian Bousquet. The 34-year-old signed a one year contract extension to stay with the club, and the Dragons veteran brings a wealth of experience to what has now become a much younger Catalans side. He may not have the impact he once had, but Bousquet is still a reliable member of the pack, and still has the ability to be a key member of the squad.

Hooker: Alrix Da Costa

Hooker is perhaps the position that the Dragons need to target next, with Da Costa the only specialised hooker contracted to the club. The experiment to use Ben Garcia in that position didn’t work out, and using him at nine is not a long-term strategy.

That leaves Da Costa as the starting nine, but if Catalans are to really succeed next year, they need to improve on the Frenchman.

Second Row: Zac Lipowicz and Ben Garcia

Penrith Panthers rookie Lipowicz made his NRL debut in August, however it was one to forget after getting sin-binned less than 20 minutes in. The powerful back rower will be hoping for a better start to life in Super League, and is expected to earn a starting jersey next season, replacing the retiring duo of Tariq Sims and Elliot Whitehead.

Garica looks set for another positional switch, after spending most of his career as a loose forward. Second row looks to be where he will play, with Tomkins using his captain in that role for seven of the last nine games to end the season. His experience will help the likes of Lipowicz, and fellow new signing Josh Allen, who has signed from Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.

Loose Forward: Oliver Partington

The former Wigan man missed just three games in 2025, and was a consistent performer in what was a poor season. There is a potential for the 13 spot to go to Fa’asuamaleaui, however Partington should have done enough to make the loose forward spot his own.

Bench: Harvey Wilson, Josh Allen, Chris Satae, Franck Maria

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