After being appointed as the new Catalans Dragons head coach, Joel Tomkins has outlined a stark change in the club’s recruitment policy.
Often talked about as a ‘retirement home’ for aging NRL players, Tomkins has insisted that a primary focus is to lower the average age of the squad and to target up-and-coming players as opposed to those approaching the end of their career.
The most recent cycle of recruitment saw Luke Keary and Elliott Whitehead both arrive from the NRL, with Keary having initially retired before U-turning to sign for Catalans, whilst former Dragons’ forward Whitehead will turn 36 in September.
Speaking after being unveiled as the new head coach for 2026 and 2027, Tomkins spoke about that recruitment model, and said: “It’s changing a little bit or quite a lot to be honest. We’re looking at a younger generation. I think the average age of our top 20 this year is over 31 and we’ll be looking to bring that average to 26 or 27 maybe.
“There will be quite a big change in the recruitment strategy and you’ll see that in the coming weeks and months with the announcements we’ll make of players coming to the club, some agreed and some close to being agreed.”
Tomkins closes Catalans’ retirement home
Going further, he said: “There’s been a lot of guys that come over from the NRL who are probably at the end of their career and looking to play the last couple of years in France and retire on the back of it.
“We’re looking at guys who are still on the upward slope in their career, who are still climbing the ranks and who are coming over probably with a different mentality where they want to build a reputation, develop their skills and either go back to the NRL or stay here long term and develop.
“The big one is that we’re avoiding those players who are at the end of their careers and we’re looking at guys who are still on the way up in their careers.”
With that in mind, we’ve picked out a number of NRL players who fit that mold and could be targets for Catalans Dragons in the off-season.
Which NRL players could Catalans Dragons sign for 2026?
Tyrell Sloan – St George Illawarra Dragons
Sloan is actually contracted until the end of the 2026 season, however, reports from All Out Rugby League last month stated that the 23-year-old had been told he was no longer required at St George.
At 23, he lines up with Catalans’ new recruitment model and it could be the case that he swaps the NRL Dragons for the Super League Dragons as he would fill a position of need.
Joel Tomkins confirmed that brother Sam will retire at the end of the year and full-back is a position that Sloan can play, however, he’s also adept on the wing. Catalans have recently deployed Nick Cotric in the centres so perhaps a full-back/winger such as Sloan would bolster the Dragons’ squad.
Zac Lipowicz – Penrith Panthers
Lipowicz is another player that Catalans have been linked with and as a young second-rower, he’s someone who aligns with Tomkins’ stated goal of lowering the average age.
He’s yet to feature for the Panthers’ first-team but with so many second-rowers off contract for Catalans, namely Elliott Whitehead, Bayley Sironen, Tariq Sims and prop/second-rower Paul Seguier, it’s a position of need.
Tom Ale – New Zealand Warriors
A 26-year-old prop who makes big metres, Ale is the sort of player who Catalans should be targeting and someone who would offer plenty of punch in their ailing and aging pack.
With Tevita Pangai Jr going to Warrington, they’re in desperate need of a prop and with quota spots increasing, Catalans can make plays on players such as Ale who has spent all of 2025 in the New South Wales Cup.
There, he’s averaged 138 metres per game and has topped 150 metres in six of his 13 appearances, averaging three tackle busts per game. A shorter prop, he’s got plenty of NRL experience having played 42 games including 16 last year and 19 in the Warriors’ impressive 2023 campaign.
Tom Duffy – North Queensland Cowboys
With reports that Luke Keary could leave at the end of the year and pre-season signing Jordan Abdull never playing for Catalans, a new playmaker will be high on the list of signings and Catalans could make an ambitious play to tempt Cowboys youngster Duffy to the south of France.
He’s off contract and looks set to leave Townsville with Jake Clifford likely to re-sign with the club and whilst plenty of NRL sides will want the 22-year-old as a back-up option, Catalans could make a play and offer him a starting gig.
He’s played five games this year in the NRL and will play again this weekend meaning he is actively in the shop window at the moment, so Catalans may have to act fast to acquire his services.
