Catalans Dragons have boosted their half-back options with the signing of Sam Williams from NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons on in a deal until the end of the current Super League season. With Scott Dureau still yet to return from the bicep injury he sustained in February, Williams will add some much-needed options to the Dragons at an important time of the season for the French club, with Betfair’s Super League odds already beginning to take shape.
Williams arrives in France following a disappointing spell at St George since his move from Canberra Raiders at the start of the 2014 NRL season. The 23-year old made just four appearances for the Dragons this season and had been looking at leaving St George in the hunt for regular rugby. While the youngster has struggled this year in Australia, Catalans coach Laurent Frayssionous has insisted Williams will be an important player for the French side during the rest of this season.
“We were looking for another player to be able to do rotations and to create a good healthy competition in our halves. Sam was looking for an opportunity. He is a talented and ambitious young player and will fit in well to our style of play,” said Frayssionous.
The signing of Williams comes on the back of the news that France international hooker Eloi Pelissier has signed a new two-year contract with Super League club. The 22-year old has made 81 appearances for the Dragons since 2011 and the club had been keen on securing the youngsters services on a longer term deal.
A modest first 15 games of the season sees the Dragons sat mid-table in the Super League standings, with seven wins, seven losses and a draw so far this year. A disappointing start to the year has resulted in many Betfair fans all but writing off the French side’s chances of making the playoffs, and the target may not be on merely finishing the year in a stronger fashion than they have started it.
