Rugby League News: Catalans Dragons Ramp Up Recruitment Efforts
As the off-season approaches, the Catalans Dragons are actively addressing their roster changes for the upcoming Super League season. According to reports from France, the club is working diligently to secure replacements for several high-profile players whose contracts are set to expire.
One key target for the Dragons is Leeds Rhinos’ Ash Handley, who has been a integral part of the Rhinos’ squad since his breakout 2015 season. Handley, who is under contract with Leeds until 2026, has scored an impressive 106 tries in 172 appearances for the club, including two try of the season contenders in the opening rounds of the 2024 season.
In addition to Handley, the Dragons have also been linked to two NRL stars, Daniel Tupou and Dallin Watene Zelezniak. Tupou, the Sydney Roosters’ all-time leading try scorer, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, with the arrival of Dom Young at the Roosters potentially increasing competition for playing time. Meanwhile, Watene Zelezniak, a New Zealand international, has plied his trade for the NZ Warriors, Penrith Panthers, and Canterbury Bulldogs, and was named to the Dally M team of the season last year after scoring 27 tries in 24 regular season games.
“The Dragons’ recruitment activity comes as they face another off-season of transition, with several key players out of contract.”
The Dragons’ recruitment activity comes as they face another off-season of transition, with several key players out of contract. Wakefield Trinity, for instance, announced the capture of Mike McMeeken on Friday, while reports suggest that Tom Johnstone could also be joining Wakefield for the 2025 season. Additionally, the Dragons’ winger Tom Davies is rumored to be linked with a move to Hull KR, opening up a vacancy on the wing that the club is looking to fill.
As the Dragons continue to build their squad for the next Super League campaign, their pursuit of high-profile talents like Handley, Tupou, and Watene Zelezniak underscores their ambition to remain competitive and establish a strong presence in the league.
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