“If we don’t get silverware then it’s an unsuccessful season” – Sam Tomkins clear on 2023 ambitions

Pre-season is well underway with three Super League sides having already played this off-season and a whole host set to feature this coming week as we bear down on the 2023 campaign.

One side who have been quite inactive during pre-season is Catalans Dragons with the French outfit having issues ranging from just four players to start pre-season, star players suffering injuries and also the inability to arrange friendlies.

The last of those problems was eased slightly yesterday with the announcement of a young French side comprised of players from Elite One, the top French division, set to play the Dragons before they kick off their Super League season.

One of the players who could be in a rush for fitness to feature in that game and the Super League start is England captain Sam Tomkins with the veteran playmaker having undergone surgery for a knee issue.

He spoke with Betfred on their Youtube channel about the prospects of a new season and if the Dragons can return to the Grand Final, something he was specifically asked about.

“I’m really excited for the year ahead. Pre-season is a tough time for all players and the focus is on round one so I’m excited now we’re back in training.

“Yeah, silverware (is on the radar). The same as every top team wants, it’s silverware and that’s where we want to put ourselves. We’ve been in the top four for the last few years now.

“We’ve had a Grand Final and semi-final appearances but still no silverware so we want to go the next step.”

Tomkins bluntly surmised: “If we don’t get silverware then it’s an unsuccessful season, simple as that.”

Catalans open their season up with a trip to one of the side’s who has got the most pre-season work under their belt so far, Wakefield Trinity.