St Helens enter race to sign Catalans Dragons star
Solomona Faataape in action for Catalans Dragons in 2026
St Helens have entered the battle to sign Catalans Dragons centre Solomona Faataape.
Faataape, who has been a target of Hull FC in recent weeks, has now emerged on Saints’ radar and discussions are believed to have started regarding a potential move to the club.
Sources have told Love Rugby League that a deal hasn’t been completed but that negotiations with both Catalans and the player have commenced.
Saints do have a lot of centre options, most notably Mark Percival and Harry Robertson, though the latter has more recently flourished in the halves. That said, they do also have the likes of Deon Cross, the recently converted Tristan Sailor and Nene Macdonald, who are all under contract next year.
But Saints have still showed interest in Faataape, despite the fact they are currently without a head coach or director of rugby, with Eamon O’Carroll in temporary charge.
Faataape has scored nine tries in 23 appearances for Catalans during his maiden Super League season having joined the Dragons from Wests Tigers, where he had made 19 NRL appearances.
Hull FC consequences
Hull had discussed a swap deal with Catalans Dragons for Faataape, which would see Amir Bourouh move the other way. However, it has been stressed to Love Rugby League that Bourouh’s move to Catalans is still happening, irrespective of whether Faataape moves to the Black and Whites or not.
The Dragons will take Bourouh to replace Alrix Da Costa, who is coincidentally moving the other way from Perpignan to West Hull. The Dragons are also set to lose Kruise Leeming at the end of the year. He is understood to have now agreed to make a return to Huddersfield Giants for the 2027 Super League season.
What that means for Hull’s recruitment plans remains to be seen. They will now likely pursue other centre targets as part of Steve McNamara’s rebuild of the squad ahead of his arrival to the club.
They have already signed Da Costa and Bailey Hodgson for next year, with plenty of more recruits expected before the start of next season.
