A Super League without the Catalans Dragons would be a strange concept.
The only French team brings plenty to the competition, whether it be an exciting away trip, a new market for TV and sponsors, a different country and a host of exciting players over the past 11 years. But with the return of promotion and relegation no club, with Gallic flavor or not, has a divine right to be in Super League. It has to be earned on merit.
At this point Catalans are in danger of going down after just two rounds of the Super 8s Qualifiers. They had an unconvincing win against London at home and were smashed by Warrington, conceding 52 points, away. This puts them at the moment in fifth on the eight-team ladder, meaning they are headed for the Million Pound Game.
The Dragons next five games are Leigh at home, Halifax away, Featherstone Rovers at home, Hull KR away and finally Widnes at home. To ensure they avoid the relegation playoff, Catalans need to win four of the next five matches. This Saturday’s clash with the Centurions, who will be desperate after being upset at home by the Robins, looms as a vital contest. Lose that and the pressure increases tenfold.
The Dragons’ marquee signing of 2017, Australian veteran Greg Bird, knows the challenge ahead.
“Two teams that might be struggling a bit on confidence,” Bird told The Sportsman.
“We only played them three weeks back so we know what to expect. Hopefully we can get a similar result and put in a similar performance.”
It’s been a difficult season for Bird after his arrival from NRL side Gold Coast Titans. The 32-year old has only made 14 appearances for Catalans because of injuries and suspension.
“I’ve enjoyed it when I’ve been out here it’s just been hard to get that continuity,” he admits.
“I’ve had eight weeks off with a broken thumb, a broken eye socket, torn patella tendon, throw in a couple of one-week suspensions and it’s been an up-and-down season personally. But I think that’s been a reflection of our whole team, our whole squad’s been in a similar position with injuries. It hasn’t been an easy one but it’s not over yet. We had a bit of setback against Warrington but we’ll be bounce back next week and fight for that top three.”
The display of Catalans, who replaced their coach mid-season, against Warrington last weekend was one of a side lacking confidence and cohesion. Bird will need to draw on his experience forged from a long career, with Test and State of Origin honours, to help drive the French club out of the mire. No team wants to be in that Million Pound where, as Salford and Hull KR showed last year, anything can happen.
“It’s in our control at the moment. We just have to improve our performances.”
Bird isn’t in favour of the controversial Super 8s structure that was introduced in 2015. But the back-rower knows it is results, not opinions, that are all-important for Catalans over the next two months.
“I’m not the biggest fan. But it’s not for me to say. I just go out and play as hard as I can. Hopefully, the people that run the game can understand it’s hard for teams to run a professionalism organization when there’s a possibility that you might not be professional next year. It is difficult but it’s set in stone at the moment and we just have to do what we do.”
