There’s just under two weeks until the Super League season kicks into action. We look at the Dragons’ prospects for 2019.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Signings
Matty Smith (St Helens), Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors), Matt Whitley (Widnes Vikings)
Departures
Iain Thornley (Leigh Centurions), Luke Walsh (Retired), Louis Anderson (Retired), Vincent Duport (Lezignan).
First Five
Castleford Tigers (A), Huddersfield Giants (H), Wakefield Trinity (A), Warrington Wolves (H), Salford Red Devils (H)
WHAT TO EXPECT
With the club winning the Challenge Cup in 2018, Catalans Dragons really turned back the clock to the 2007 days and rejuvenated themselves. Steve McNamara did a fantastic job in lifting the team to the triumph, beating the Warrington Wolves at Wembley and creating rugby league history. Will they continue that in 2019? Who knows. The aim for the club this coming year will be to succeed expectation once again and crack the play offs, trying to get into that top five.
One player who will be sure to make a good impact in 2019 is the former New Zealand and Wigan warrior, Sam Tomkins. A grand final winner, who has swapped the north of England, for the south of France. I am sure Tomkins will be keen to make an impression and I expect him to.
With the club only signing a few, the two Brits, Matty Smith and the already mentioned Tomkins, will be the two who come into the side and make a real impression. They will contribute a lot to the club, I can already see Tomkins being a fan favourite and contributing a lot on and off the pitch.
Like every game in Super League, it is tough for all clubs. With the structure moving to a top five, Catalans will be one of the two or three other teams, troubling the so called big teams for a place in the play offs. They have two of the teams they will be in an around in the league in the first five, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants.
FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
Top Tryscorer – Lewis Tierney
Top Pointscorer – Sam Tomkins
Club Player of the Year – Sam Moa
WHERE WILL CATALANS DRAGONS FINISH?
