CATALANS DRAGONS

The 'Catalans Dragons' (sometimes referred to as ''Les Catalans'', ''Les Cats'' or ''the Dragons'') are a professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, in Northern Catalonia. They play in both the European Super League and French Rugby League Championship competitions and even though the club was only recently formed they have to date achieved a championship title in 2005 and two consecutive Lord Derby Cups in 2004 and 2005.
The club was founded in 2001 in Perpignan, France, under the name '"Union Treiziste Catalane"'; following the merger of the successful XIII Catalan club and close neighbours Saint Estève. They were granted admission into the European Super League in 2006 , the highest tier of professional rugby league in Europe.

Contents

History

Current squad

Honours

Footnotes

References

External links

History

The club was formed in 2000 as ''Union Treiziste Catalane'', from a merger of the famous XIII Catalan and St Estève clubs, and they continue to play in the French Championship under this name, which is often abbreviated to 'UTC'.
XIII Catalan were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship. AS Saint Estève were founded in 1965. Both teams were from Perpignan, in the Catalan region of France.
They were selected ahead of Toulouse and Villeneuve to enter the Super League in 2006. It is hoped that they will form the backbone of the national team. The club has as its target that 75% of the players will be qualified to play for France.
This will not be the first time that a French side has played in the Super League, though the first attempt, Paris Saint Germain, lasted only two seasons. Part of Paris' problem was that both codes of rugby have their stronghold in the south of France, whilst the north of France is more soccer friendly. Another problem was that their players were on loan from French league clubs and had to play for their own clubs as well.
To ensure that Catalans Dragons have the best French players available to them the French rugby league has decided that they can sign players from other French clubs without paying a transfer fee. They have also been promised that they will not be relegated from the Super League for three years even if they finish bottom.
Many believe that Catalans Dragons will be joined by other French clubs in the Super League though the whole idea of expanding into France is not without its critics among supporters of .
Catalans Dragons won their first ever European Super League match 38-30 against Wigan Warriors on Saturday 11th February 2006 at Stade Aimé Giral. The club experienced a difficult first season in Super League with many of the less experienced French players running out of steam towards the end of a gruelling campaign. They eventually finished bottom of the table, but due to their 3-year exemption from relegation it was 11th-placed Castleford who dropped down to National League One.
2007 saw strong recruitment by new coach Mick Potter with a string of high-profile signings from Australia including Clint Greenshields, Casey McGuire, Jason Croker and Aaron Gorrell, all seasoned NRL campaigners. Gorrell, a goalkicking hooker, in particular impressed but unfortunately sustained a bad knee injury in February's win over Leeds and is likely to miss the rest of the season. On 10 March 2007 it was announced Newcastle Knights hooker Luke Quigley would cover Gorrell's absence for the remainder of the campaign. Young stars Dimitri Pelo and Vincent Duport in the backs have impressed, and show real promise for the future and for young talent in France in general.
Recent addition to the fold at the Catalan Dragons is former Raiders, Storm and Eels Halfback Andrew McFadden who is now their Assistant Coach. Andrew said upon signing with the Dragons that he was doing it for his cousin, former prop Joe McCarthy, who was his "shining light".
On July 29, 2007, the Dragons became the first French side and first non-English side to reach the final of the Challenge Cup after beating Wigan Warriors 37-24 in the semi final.
Catalans lost the 2007 Challenge Cup Final with St Helens at Wembley Stadium on August 25th 2007.

Current squad

Although other players may play for the Catalans Dragons during the year, all Super League clubs are required to select a top tier First Grade squad at the beginning of the season. Below is the list submitted for the 2007 season^[2]. All players are ordered by their jersey number.
(injured)

Honours

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Footnotes

1. Catalans Q&A
2. Catalans Dragons 2007 Squad

References

★ Rugby League Tables and Statistics

★ Les Catalans Dragons

External links

;Official websites

★ Catalans Dragons Online

★ Catalans Dragons at Superleague.co.uk
;General fan sites

★ Sang-Et-Or
;News sites

★ The World of Rugby League

★ League Unlimited