A venture over to the picturesque surroundings of Perpignan in the South of France has long been mapped out as the ideal location for many NRL veterans to play out the final few years of their careers in peace.

The Catalans Dragons have housed many former stars – faded but still with enough ticker to offer something to the Super League club and deliver on their end of the bargain.

The past roll call is a who’s who of who was: Glenn Stewart, Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary chiefly among them.

However, the pre-retirement gravy train for aging NRL players may finally be about to come to an end.

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Why the NRL gravy train may have finally ended at Catalans Dragons

“The recruitment model which we’ve picked moving forward is changing, we’re looking at a younger generation,” the French outfit’s newly-appointed coach, Joel Tomkins, declared upon his unveiling this week.

“The average age of our top 20 this year was over 31.

“We’re looking at bringing that down to 26 or 27, so there’ll be quite a big change in our strategy and you’ll see that with some of the announcements we’ll make.” 

Catalans have endured a turbulent campaign this year after previously establishing themselves as a perennial challenger and general powerhouse in the UK.

Yet Steve McNamara’s extended tenure came to a sour close midway through this season as the Dragons flattered to deceive just one too many times. 

Keary’s move from Bondi has also been a failure as the former South Sydney and Roosters premiership winner has toiled away while well out of reach of the Super League spotlight.

Fellow former NRL players Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Tariq Sims, Bayley Sironen, Tevita Pangai Junior and Elliott Whitehead have all called France home this season.

However, Tomkins stated that the set-up at the club would shift significantly under his leadership. 

The Dragons will move away from recruiting veteran players from overseas, who the coach claimed didn’t necessarily arrive with the best intentions of the club at heart, and will instead focus on hungry, young prospects. 

“It’s quite obvious to see that there’s been a lot of guys who have come over from the NRL who are at the end of their careers and looking to play out the last couple of years in France and then retire on the back of it,” Tomkins said.

“We’re looking at guys who are still on the upward slope in their career. Those who are climbing the ranks and coming over with a different mentality.”