Catalans want to keep Josh Drinkwater next year, admits Steve McNamara

Catalans coach Steve McNamara has revealed the club want to keep Josh Drinkwater beyond this season.

Drinkwater arrived in Perpignan in April from New South Wales Cup side Western Suburbs Magpies.

The 26-year-old has been a revelation for the Dragons and he has helped them climb the table, with them now sitting in the top-eight.

Drinkwater is attracting interest from several other Super League clubs, but McNamara wants the half-back to stay in France next year.

He said: “We are keen to keep hold of him and Josh knows that.

“He’s only with us on a short-term deal but we’re going to try and hold on to him for next season.

“He was disappointed what happened at Leigh last season and never got kept on and went back to Australia and did a bit of work and played in the New South Wales Cup, but he has been great for us.

“We are looking to make his deal longer and hopefully that will be the case.”

McNamara has been impressed by Drinkwater’s performances and thinks the Dragons are the right club for him to kick on further.

He said: “Josh has been really good for us, he has scored tries and created tries with both his passing and kicking.

“He created another try with his kicking against Warrington and he is a good fit for us.

“He suits our club and I think we suit him. It seems to have come together for him since coming here.”