CATALANS DRAGONS have confirmed former head coach Laurent Frayssinous will re-join the club from 2027.
The 49-year-old, who is the current coach of the French national team, has signed a two-year deal to return to the Dragons as assistant coach after a decade’s absence.
He will replace Ryan Sheridan, who had spent the last two seasons at the Perpignan club having joined Steve McNamara’s staff in 2024.
The former Leeds Rhinos, Sheffield Eagles, Widnes Vikings and Castleford Tigers scrum-half had taken on the role of interim head coach between the departure of Joel Tomkins and appointment of John Cartwright earlier this year, but will depart the club at the end of the season.
Frayssinous is no stranger to Catalans, with whom he saw out his playing career in 2006 – the Dragons’ inaugural Super League season – before moving to the club’s coaching staff the following year.
He served as assistant coach under Mick Potter, Kevin Walters and Trent Robinson, then made history in 2013 as the first French coach to take charge of a Super League team.
After leaving the club in 2017, he spent several years on the coaching staff at St Helens, then taking charge of the national team in 2021.
“I’m very happy and proud to be returning to the Catalans Dragons. This club holds a special place in my career,” enthused Frayssinous, who will combine his new role at Catalans with that as France head coach.
“I have already had the privilege of representing the Dragons as a player, assistant coach and head coach, and to return today, with all the experiences I have had and everything I have learned since leaving, naturally has a very special meaning for me.
“The discussions I had with (chief executive) Sébastien Munoz, (future sporting director) Ben Garcia and (owner) Bernard Guasch about the project they want to put in place were particularly convincing.
“Their vision, their ambition for the club and the direction they want to take it were key factors in my decision to be part of this new chapter.”
He continued: “I’m also very pleased to be able to continue my role as head coach of the France national team alongside my position with the Dragons.
“I have a deep attachment to this team, this jersey and the project we are building together, and I still have huge ambition and desire for what lies ahead.
“I return with great ambition and enthusiasm, with one very clear priority: to work hard, contribute to the collective effort and do everything I can to help the Dragons achieve their objectives.
“Both the Dragons and the France national team hold a special place in my career. I’m proud to be able to continue my commitment to both projects and, more broadly, to French Rugby League.”
Head coach Cartwright added: “Laurent knows the club and the French game extremely well.
“He is a very experienced coach and will be a real asset to the club.”
