Catalans Dragons are very much the ‘unicorn’ of the Super League. They are the only French team in the league and are also the only team not based in England.
This means the burden of growing rugby league in France rests on their shoulders and their shoulders alone as they compete for coverage with the more established rugby union.
After making history in 2018 by being the first ever non-British team to win the Challenge Cup, the club has continued its ascendancy in recent years.
In 2021 they won the League Leaders Shield and narrowly missed out on winning the Grand Final by two points in that same season.
This year they are back in the Grand Final with another chance to add the biggest trophy the English domestic game has to offer to their trophy case.
To do this they must defeat one of the biggest and most historic clubs, the five-time Grand Final winners, Wigan Warriors.
Catalans Dragons captain Ben Garcia is a crucial part of the French spine that makes up a significant part of this Dragons side. Garcia reflected on what it would mean for France and French rugby league if they were to emerge victorious on Saturday.
“I think the club have worked for many years to win this trophy, to bring it back to France and we have a very passionate fanbase.
“For French rugby league it will be massive, for the kids and for everyone” Garcia said.
Garcia also captained the side when they suffered heartbreak in the 2021 Grand Final. Garcia said it was hard to take but they can’t let their prior disappointment influence their performance this time round.
“It’s really tough to come here but it’s even tougher to win the trophy so we knew that. We just need to focus on our gameplan on Saturday and nothing else and just be ready for a tough battle.”
’40 minutes away from not knowing where this club would be’
Steve McNamara has masterminded the success of the Catalans Dragons since his appointment as Head Coach midway through the 2017 season. He saved the club from relegation before leading them to all the silverware they have accumulated in recent years.
McNamara looked back on the club’s success as they enter their second Grand Final in three years.
“It’s been great to see it blossom. From the depth of 2017, we were losing at half-time in the million-pound game, so we were 40 minutes away in reality from probably not knowing where this club would be.
“To see us go from that to then win our first ever trophy as a club, the Challenge Cup final in 2018, being in the Grand Final, playing in the Nou Camp at Barcelona and then being in our second Grand Final is awesome to see but it’s through a lot of hard work and dedication,” he said.
McNamara also realised the significance of winning this year’s Grand Final to continue to grow and develop the profile of the club as well as the sport back in France.
“Winning this game would seriously put us on the map as well because it would give us the opportunity to play World Club Challenge and then we can decide where we we’re going to take that to try help grow the game again in France.”
‘In the past they’d sign big names that were going to France for a holiday’
For Catalan Dragons to attract a player of Sam Tomkins’ quality back in 2019 shows the development of the club and made the rugby league world sit up and take notice of the project that was being built in France.
Tomkins explained how the Catalans Dragons identity as a club has changed in recent years as they have become more successful.
“Since Steve McNamara came to the club in 2017, he changed the way they were going to sign players. In the past they’d sign big names that a lot of the time were going over to France for a holiday and the club wasn’t successful.
“He changed his recruitment strategy and wanted to get the right people in rather than the right players as short-term fixes and he’s done very well with that.
“Signing players that have got their best years in front of them but have that drive to improve and play a long time at the club.” Tomkins said.
Tomkins also had praise for the positive steps the club have taken on the field but insisted they must take that final step and win the Grand Final.
“I think Steve’s a massive part of the turnaround of the club and that’s obvious from him arriving in the million-pound game in 2017 where they had to win to survive, to now being able to be on the big stage.
“It’s a massive turnaround for the club but we’re still one step away from where we want to be.” He said.
