Tony Gigot has poured cold water on rumours that he is unsettled at Catalans Dragons.
Media speculation grew last week that he is about to quit Perpignan to join North Queensland Cowboys, as a replacement for Ben Barba, with some suggestions that Gigot was unhappy at having lost the Dragons’ fullback role to new signing, Sam Tomkins.
But Gigot told League Express: “I can’t control what stories are going around. All I can do is say I am really happy here at the moment.”
The 28-year-old French international is in the second season of his current two-year-deal at Stade Gilbert Brutus and he believes this has stimulated the rumours.
“It always happens when you’re at this stage of a contract,” he said. “Coming towards the end of a deal, that is. All I can say is that I am fully focused on this season with the Dragons, and trying my best to help us win some more trophies.”
Gigot, who normally wore the number one shirt for the Dragons has started at stand-off sonce Tomkins arrived, but is not concerned about the switch. “A fullback or stand-off is a pretty similar role in the team, so I’m happy in either position,” he said.
“Steve McNamara has told us to play with liberty, we are free to go where we want. Obviously we have to respect the game plan but he told me I can go left, Sam can go right, or switch it during a game, which is pretty good for any player. That’s why I’m happy at five-eighth.
“The roles are very similar. It’s not too important, the only thing that matters is that we play our best in order to bring more trophies here to the club.”
As do many of the pundits, Gigot believes the Dragons can compete at the top table this season.
“Why not?” he said. “We showed what we could do that, at the end of last season, and we have made some signings since then.
“We may have started with a really tough game at Castleford but we then had a good win against Huddersfield. We have brought in some new players – it will take some time to come together.”
Gigot described winning the Challenge Cup and Lance Todd Trophy at Wembley last season as the highlights of his career.
“Winning the Cup last year has been a real boost for this club. You could see the excitement among the supporters for our first home game of the season against Huddersfield last week, the atmosphere was fantastic.
“It is good that we started at home with a win – to get the fans behind us – and it’s up to us now to keep on winningn, starting at Wakefield on Thursday.”