Super League friendly to be shown live on TV

Catalans Dragons will face a President’s XIII this weekend as part of their Super League preparation and the game is now set to be broadcast live on TV.

With Catalans being the only non-English side in Super League there have always been issues with securing a TV deal for their coverage, however, it’s been confirmed that their clash against a select President’s XIII will be broadcast.

The game is set to be shown on Sport en France and NA TV with the French Rugby League Federation confirming news of the broadcast.

It will be the sole game Catalans play as part of their pre-season, once again highlighting the difficulties that Steve McNamara’s side face as a non-English side within Super League.

The game is set to take place at 2:30 pm on Saturday and they’ll face a host of the best players from Elite 1, the premier French rugby league competition.

It will be the first game that Catalans Dragons have played since their loss in the Grand Final to Wigan Warriors, the club having since undergone a huge turnover of players.

Super League Grand Finalists see huge squad turnover

Catalans made it to Old Trafford and the Grand Final for just the second time in their history in the 2023 campaign, replicating the feat of 2021.

However, on both occasions, they fell short with Wigan Warriors beating them 10-2 in a close and fiery affair that saw two Catalans players sent from the field due to sin bin offences.

It wasn’t to be the fairytale ending for Sam Tomkins, whose incredible solo try against St Helens in the semi-final had secured them their spot at Old Trafford.

Mitchell Pearce was another legend of the game who played his last game that night at Old Trafford whilst the club also saw plenty of others take the field for the last time.

Those included Wigan-bound Adam Keighran who was one of two to see yellow, whilst the likes of Mickael Goudemand, Tyrone May, Tiaki Chan and Matt Whitley have also departed the club

Steve McNamara’s side have brought in six players of the highest level but they could still lack the depth to return to Old Trafford.

Catalans Dragons sign three NRL talents

Among those six signings are three players from down under with Tariq Sims and Jayden Nikorima both arriving from Melbourne Storm, whilst Bayley Sironen switches New Zealand for Perpignan.

Sironen is actually the younger brother of St Helens’ forward Curtis ensuring that when the two sides meet there will be an interesting sub-plot.

Following the loss of three half-backs in Tomkins, Pearce and May the club have recruited Frenchman Theo Fages from Huddersfield Giants and also made the surprise move for Jordan Abdull on a season-long loan from Hull KR.

Hull FC powerhouse Chris Satae is added to the mix to replace Leeds Rhinos-bound Goudemand and round out Steve McNamara’s squad for 2024 as they aim to become the fifth side to be crowned Super League champions.