How Catalans could line-up in 2022

Tyrone May has become Catalans’ third signing from the NRL for 2022, with the 2021 NRL Grand Final winner joining the Dragons on a one-year deal.

Mitchell Pearce will feature in Super League in 2022 after signing with Catalans on a two-year deal.

The 32-year-old half-back has made more than 300 career appearances in the NRL with Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. He has also represented New South Wales and NRL All Stars, and is a direct replacement for James Maloney.

The club has signed NRL forward Dylan Napa, while Joel Tomkins has retired.

Catalans also recently added utility player Tyrone May to their squad from Penrith Panthers, where he was named on the bench in their Grand Final success in 2021.

Here’s how Steve McNamara’s side could line-up in 2022:

1 Sam Tomkins

2021 Steve Prescott Man of Steel winner Sam Tomkins will be looking for yet another impressive season in Super League with the Rugby League World Cup ahead. The full-back made 19 appearances in 2021, scoring 10 tries and assisting 20 more. Arthur Mourgue will also be fighting for the spot following an impressive season.

2 Tom Davies

The winger’s form saw him earn a call up to Shaun Wane’s England squad in 2021, featuring against the Combined Nations All Stars and France, scoring on his international debut. He scored 14 tries last season, the fifth most in the competition.

3 Samisoni Langi

Samisoni Langi extended his Catalans stay earlier in October, despite looking set to sign with Wakefield. The 28-year-old can feature at stand-off, but has seen his recent game time come in the centres for the French side.

4 Dean Whare

Dean Whare made 20 Super League appearances last season, scoring four tries. He made seven try assists, and four clean breaks. The 31-year-old has previously featured for Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers, and has won 19 caps for New Zealand. He enters the last year of his contract.

5 Fouad Yaha

Fouad Yaha scored 14 tries in 20 appearances last season. An impressive winger, he has won three caps for France so far in his career.

6 Mitchell Pearce

Pearce will replace Maloney in the halves for Catalans in 2022, who has joined Lezignan in the French Elite 1. He will bring a wealth of experience to the Perpignan side next season and looks to be one of the highlight signings in the competition.

7 Josh Drinkwater

Josh Drinkwater is enjoying his second stint with the Dragons, having also featured for St George Illawarra, London Broncos, Wests Tigers, Leigh and Hull KR. He has become one of the best half-backs in Super League, having made 28 try assists in 21 games in 2021, the most in the competition and six more than next-best Jake Connor.

8 Dylan Napa

Dylan Napa makes the switch to Super League with Catalans on a two-year deal. The 29-year-old has won the NRL premiership with Sydney Roosters in 2018, and has also represented Maroons in State of Origin. He will have competition for a starting position from the likes of Gil Dudson, Michael Goudemand and Paul Seguier in 2022.

9 Michael McIlorum

Ireland and England international Michael McIlorum signed a new contract with Catalans for the 2022 season. He joined the club from Wigan ahead of the 2018 season, and is still one of the best in the competition. He represented the Wolfhounds at the 2017 World Cup.

10 Julian Bousquet

The 30-year-old prop wore shirt number 10 in 2021, and could be set to receive the same number again in 2022. He has made more than 200 appearances for Catalans, including 19 last season.

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11 Matt Whitley

Another solid player in the Catalans squad, Matt Whitley signed a new two-year deal in 2020. The England Knights representative scored eight tries in 13 appearances last season.

12 Mike McMeeken

The former London and Castleford back-rower enjoyed his first season with Catalans, making 21 Super League appearances. He scored nine tries, and assisted seven more, and his edge with Whare and Davies is one of the best in the competition.

13 Ben Garcia

Catalans captain Ben Garcia helped guide his side to their first Super League Grand Final in 2021. The France international has made more than 100 appearances for the Dragons, and will be looking to guide them to more success in 2022.

Bench

There will be several players looking for a starting spot in 2022, including talented youngster Arthur Mourgue. There is also the likes of Mathieu Laguerre, Benjamin Jullien and Corentin Le Cam who will be pushing to start.

Bench: Tyrone May, Sam Kasiano, Gil Dudson, Mickael Goudemand.

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