Catalans Dragons are reportedly set to bring back Neil McIlory as Sporting Director just two months after he left leaving the club.
This comes as news emerges from Rugby League Live that the Dragons are in talks with Hull KR star Jordan Abdull in an extraordinary loan move that has come out of the blue. Abdull is set to replace Tyrone May who has joined the Robins ironically in what has essentially become a swap.
It is peculiar to see after Abdull signed a long term deal with the Robins in 2023 until the end of the 2026 campaign.
At the time, Abdull said: “I spoke to willie about how I see myself moving forward at the club with all the stuff off the field, the new board, and some of the results we’re starting to get on the field now. Also the people we’re recruiting for next year, it’s exciting times at this club.
“With my quad, for two seasons in a row I’ve missed a heap of games. It’s time I give something back to the club, they’ve invested in me now for the next two, three years, the challenge I’ve set myself is to play as often as I can and as well as I can.”
Despite this, Abdull is reportedly set to leave the club ahead of the 2024 season and could McIlory be a key figure in all of this?
When he was originally appointed, McIlory said: “Following a visit to see how the Dragons work, organised by ‘mutual friend’ Franck Azema, the Club talked to me about a potential role within the Direction of the organisation. Despite having possibilities with World Rugby overseas, I was rapidly impressed by the passion, spirit and ambition of President Bernard Guasch and Head Coach Steve McNamara.
“It quickly became clear that we had a common vision and that this was a good club run by good people, working very hard. I believe that they can give me what I need at this point in my career and that I can help with the organisation, development and structure at the Club. Having been to recent games I was also reminded of the passion and fervour of the Catalan supporters. It is both great to see and hear.
“The Dragons is a unique Club, something that we should all be proud of, and that makes the challenge all the more exciting for me. The bar has been set over the last 3 or 4 years. Now we need to raise our level to become Champions, to encourage and develop our junior programme, and also make sure that Sponsors and Supporters are proud to be associated with the Club.”
