Monaghan excited by Catalan opportunity

Michael Monaghan says he’s looking forward to the challenge of turning Catalans’ season around following his appointment as co-caretaker coach of the club.

Monaghan and fellow assistant Jerome Guisset have been placed in temporary charge of the Dragons following head coach Laurent Frayssinous’ exit on Monday.

The 37-year-old joined the club’s backroom staff after retiring as a player at the end of the 2014 season, and will join Guisset in the dugout for the first time when Catalan visit high-flying Salford on Friday.

“I’ve got mixed feelings – on the one hand Laurent gave me an opportunity to get into coaching when I retired as a player and to see him go is really disappointing,” said Monaghan.

“On the other hand, I’m excited that me and Jerome get an opportunity to put our stamp on the club, although we don’t need to come in and change everything.

“That’s not really our job, that is just to simplify things, make it easy for the players to go out and play well.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a big responsibility the club have put on the two of us and we’re looking forward to trying to do right by them.”