Catalan to join Super League academy

Catalan are to launch a team in the Super League Under 19s academy from next season.

The academy currently operates with only 13 teams due to the Dragons’ absence, but that will be rectified in 2015.

They will be led by Thierry Dumaine, who has been named as Under 19s Head Coach and Head of Performance.

He said: “It’s an exciting project and I’m delighted to be a part of it. It’s a great recognition of all the work I’ve done with the France Academy over the last five years.

“There is a lot of quality in France and we’ll be able from 2015 to gauge ourselves against the Academy teams of the Super League clubs.”

Dragons CEO Christophe Jouffret added: “It’s a great news for the club and for the French Rugby League. We want to take a step forward in the Youth Development system and we’ll now offer to our young French players the best oppositions in the North Hemisphere and a professional environment.

“Thierry Dumaine is the best person to manage this project thanks to his experience with the French Federation and the France Academy teams.”