Half-back Toby Sexton insists his focus is on Catalans Dragons despite landing a spot in the NRL for 2027.
Before making the move to the south of France over the off-season, Sexton had spent his entire career playing in the NRL with Gold Coast Titans and most recently with Canterbury Bulldogs. He made 18 appearances for the latter last season but the signing of Lachlan Galvin ultimately led Sexton to take up a deal with Catalans.
Sexton put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Dragons, but just a few weeks after arriving in Perpignan, his return to Australia was confirmed with the playmaker set to make the move back down under at the end of the year to join new NRL side Perth Bears.
He’ll be joined at the Bears by fellow Dragons recruit Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, while Leeds Rhinos duo Harry Newman and James McDonnell have also joined the club.
Despite a move back to the Australian competition already being secured, though, Sexton insists impressing with Catalans this season is the only thing on his mind.
“It’s a good feeling to know where you’re going. My goal is this season, 100%,” the 24-year-old told L’Independant.
“I feel really lucky to be here. Being a Catalans Dragon is much more than a contract: it’s an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to contribute to something bigger than myself.”
Sexton made the move to Perpignan at the start of November and he has spent the last two and a half months trying to settle and assimilate himself into a new Dragons line up and the French culture.
Of course, Perpignan and life at the Dragons is very different to what he’s used to, but he did have the luxury of being able to pick the brains of a former Catalans head coach.
“I didn’t know what I was going to find, either in terms of rugby or life,” he said.
“I love my time here. I’ve enjoyed every aspect of France since I arrived at the beginning of November.”
He added: “Even though Mick Potter my reserve coach at Canterbury, spoke highly of the club, there were a lot of uncertainties, but it’s all been really fun. Being with the lads every day is a real pleasure.”
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