Sam Tomkins: Catalans want to become a side who are always competing for trophies

Sam Tomkins insists Catalans’ long-term ambition is to become a team who are challenging for silverware every single season.

The 29-year-old started training with the Dragons earlier this week after joining the French club on a four-year contract from Wigan Warriors.

Steve McNamara’s side became the first-ever non-British team to win the Challenge Cup in 2018, beating Warrington Wolves at Wembley.

And Tomkins insists the team want to taste success on a more regular basis.

“We don’t want people to say Catalans won one trophy so many years ago, we want to be a side that competes every single year,” Tomkins said.

“2019 is the first chance we get to defend our trophy and keep it in France. The Challenge Cup a huge boost for not only Catalans Dragons, but also for French rugby league. To have one of the two major trophies in France is special, so hopefully we can go on and defend that and go and win the Grand Final as well.

“It just shows that the team has got masses of potential, but potential doesn’t mean anything if you’re not playing well. You look at the squad and the ability across the board, there are some phenomenal athletes here and we just need to be consistent week in, week out.

“We only won two from the first 11 games last year and that isn’t what we want to be. We want to start on the front foot and get ahead of the pack and stay there, so I think that is the challenge for us. Some confidence has got to be taken from us losing nine of the first 11 and going on to win the Challenge Cup because it shows that we can turn things around.”

Tomkins helped Wigan win the Super League Grand Final last season – his third Super League title as well as having two Challenge Cup winners’ medals to his name.

And even though he has left his hometown club, Tomkins insists that he isn’t moving to Perpignan for a holiday.

“It’s nice off the field but I didn’t move here for the sun or to learn another language,” he added.

“I moved here for the rugby and my primary reason for coming to Catalans is because it is an exciting club with a lot of ambition and potential.

“The off the field stuff is a bonus. My kids will grow up with a bit of sun rather than snow and rain but my main reason for coming was for on the field stuff – nothing else.”