Catalan Dragons handed assistant coach Jérôme Guisset a two-year contract extension in a week that saw two of their players suspended for incidents in the game against Wigan Warriors a week ago.
Centre Vincent Duport picked up a three-match suspension, while co-skipper Gregory Mounis was suspended for two games.
Those suspensions prompted Guisset to issue a “let’s be smart” rallying call to his troops as they head into the business end of the season.
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“We always try to play an aggressive game because that’s Rugby League, but there’s a thin line between aggression and stupidity,” said Guisset who played for Warrington, Wigan and Catalans in his Super League playing career.
“Once you got past that line then you put yourself in the situation that some blokes might miss out, and that’s what’s happened to us. We want to be aggressive, but we don’t want to cross that discipline line. Those who have crossed that line need to make sure that it doesn’t happen again. But what it also does is give other players opportunities to show what they can do.”
After an indifferent start to the season the Catalans have forced themselves into the top eight.
“We knew when the season started that we could have a strong team if everybody was available and fit to play,” added Guisset.
“The start wasn’t good because we lost three out of our spine and only had Leon Pryce fit, having lost Scott Dureau, Brent Webb and Ian Henderson. So it was a tough ask, as we also had a few suspensions and a few injuries, but when we got bodies back we picked up confidence.
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“It’s good to know that my services have been rewarded after two very tough seasons due to injuries,” continued Guisset, who expects a tough finish to the season.
“I feel that this year is a very tight league and that it’s very open.
“Every game is a big game for everyone. Every point counts because everyone wants a home semi-final. We have to take every game seriously and get as far up the table as possible.”
