Playing under a new French coach, and without their star playmaker Scott Dureau, after five rounds Les Catalans Dragons are running 3rd. They have a real chance to be in the top four again this year at season's end, because Dureau and injured prop Lopini Paea, when they return, will lift the club's performance.

Attandance yesterday was 7,191 of which perhaps less than 191 were Wakefield tourists. Expect the crowds to increase when the weather warms up and the likes of Leeds, Wigan and Warrington show up in Perpignan.

The crowds will really start to spiral when Toulouse enters Super League and becomes a local derby competitor for French honours.

How often will Catalans play Toulouse at home in the league?

Only once. However there will be a new sense of competition for which club is the best French club in Super League, and that should raise attendances.

Really enjoy watching Catalan, huge upfront with the ability to utilise the french flair out wide when required. To do what ur doing without Dureau as not gone unnoticed in Blighty, looking a real force, expect top 3 as worst scenario can see top two. Looking forward to this weekends game against Wigan, can the riversiders pack handle the Catalans? (They handled Wire a fortnight ago though!!!!)

Why didn't you post this last week when Catalan drew against lowly Castleford? You know, the side you have inadvertently been trolling about for years and detest for being......well, you know, Cas.

Because last week Catalans had not yet reached third place.

Note however that by achieving a draw away against Castleford, after a significant flight and a bus ride, Catalans outperformed 2012 Grand Final winner Leeds, who lost to Castleford after just a short bus ride.

I have only criticised Castleford for not having a decent stadium yet, after years of being warned by the RFL that their presence in Super League depends on having a new stadium.

They've been a breath of fresh air since they came in and long may it continue. There's a real passion for rugby league in that area and the trips over there are fantastic.

How likely is it that we will see Toulouse following suit? I'd love for that to be the case and for them to be a success. A superleague game between 2 French teams infront of a huge crowd would be magnificent.

Yep makes for a great trip, enjoyed it thoroughly the one time I went in 2008

I'm glad it seems to be working out. I was sceptical when they first came into SL. Worrying that they wouldn't attract crowds but having a good home record I feel has helped pull people in.

As it stands I'd have no problem letting Toulouse in, It would create a big rivalry which can only help. It's sad to see clubs like London failing miserably and not getting people through the gates when the likes of Toulouse would probably make a much better go of it.

Absolutely thrilled for them. Long may it continue!

Agreed you have started well & will only improve with Dureau back in the side

Is it that surprising really? Your starting halves so far this season have been Leon Pryce & Thomas Bosc

The only thing with Catalans over the years is their away performances that stop them being considered one of the favourites for either piece of silverware & Castleford last week only emphasises that

Bosc is an excellent ball runner and field kicker, as well as goal kicker. But he is not as good as Dureau in organising the team's attack.




Catalans have so far beaten Hull KR away, drawn with Cas away (Leeds lost away to Cas and Wigan only won away to Cas in the last minutes), and lost to Warrington away by a narrow margin. That is not a bad record. Let's see how Catalans do away at Wigan this Friday night.

Jean, What happens to Bosc when SD returns? Bosc is surely too good a player to be dumped on the wing like he was before.

Just hope it's sooner rather then later that Scott Deurau returns. I do agree, best 7 in the league.

Good question. He is a great utility player. Injuries may decide where he plays. He can cover for Pryce obviously, and Webb at full back, and also play centre as well as wing. But he must take a spot. If there are no injuries look at the options the coach has:

FB: Webb, Millard, Bosc

WG: Blanch, Millard, Pala, Cardace, Vaccari, Bosc

CE: Duport, Millard, Menzies, Bosc, Baile (recovering from injury)

SO: Pryce, Bosc

SH: Dureau, Bosc, Barthau


As I said, injury situation may decide where he plays.