Catalans suffer double injury blow following international duties
Catalans Dragons have suffered a double blow following the international break.
Both Arthur Mourgue and Jordan Dezaria suffered injuries while representing France against Wales on Sunday.
The Super League club have confirmed that 23-year-old Mourgue will miss between four-to-six weeks of action due to a ligament injury in his right ankle.
Prop forward Dezaria is scheduled to see a specialist later today. The 25-year-old will undergo surgery to repair a fracture in his left foot. The club added that time frames will be confirmed after the repair.
Catalans duo injured during international duties
12 players from Catalans represented France against Wales in Albi on Sunday, where they picked up a 34-10 victory in their World Cup preparations.
Laurent Frayssinous’ side ran in six tries, with four players named from Toulouse. Salford’s Morgan Escare also featured at full-back.
Featuring in the halves on the day, Mourgue converted two tries from the boot before suffering the injury. He received treatment during the first half with his ankle being strapped off, but soon left the field.
Dezaria was named on the bench by Frayssinous. Skipper Ben Garcia opened the scoring on the day, followed by tries from team-mates Mickael Goudemand, Benjamin Jullien and Julian Bousquet. Eloi Pelissier and Escare also scoring.
Wales boss Kear calls for more focus on international game
Wales head coach John Kear believes the sport should focus more on the international game in order to grow itself.
It was their first game in more than three years, having last played November 11, 2018. They defeated Ireland 40-8 on that day.
“I care about the game and the only way we’re going to really grow and become a major sporting player is by having a very strong, competitive international game,” Kear said from France following his side’sWorld Cup preparations.
“My brother lives in Shrewsbury and he and his mates will go watch England and Combined Nations. But he and his mates aren’t bothered about Warrington and Wigan.
“You’ve got to put that perspective on it and decide, ‘Do we want to properly grow the game or not?’”
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