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Catalan Dragons: Laurent Frayssinous aims to build on efforts of Trent Robinson

Image: Leon Pryce: impressed for the Dragons after opting to continue his career in France

Trent Robinson left the Dragons in rude health. Now new boss Laurent Frayssinous will look to continue the upward curve of the Catalan team.

Ins out Outs

Laurent Frayssinous is the new man in charge of Les Catalans - he has signed a two-year deal and in doing so became the youngest coach in the competition at just 35. The former French international couldn't be taking over at a better time. There has been no major upheaval in the squad going into the 2013 campaign, with it mostly being a case of one in, one out. Stalwarts David Ferriol and Sebastien Raguin have departed, but the French club have welcomed back Olivier Elima from Bradford. The second-rower returns for a second spell with the Dragons, pledging his future for this year and next after expressing a desire to return home. Greenshields has ended his six-year association with the Dragons to join the North Queensland Cowboys. Catalan replaced him with another experienced full-back with Super League experience in former Leeds Rhino Brent Webb. There has been one new recruit from overseas, Zeb Taia being snapped up from Newcastle Knights to fill the void leg by Setimanta Sa, who has switched codes to play for London Irish in the Aviva Premiership.

Outlook

"The Dragons have endured a season-long slump in the past (it is easy to forget they finished bottom of the pile in 2010) but even with the departure of Robinson and the absence of Dureau for the opening rounds, they should still be challenging again for a top-four finish. Robinson's decision to make French the club's first language will make the transition to new boss Frayssinous even smoother, while he now has David Waite and Jerome Guisset alongside him as assistants. Dureau will be sidelined for the start after having a tumour removed from behind his eye, with the operation thankfully encountering no complications. With his half-back partner missing, even more will fall onto the sizeable shoulders of Leon Pryce to spark the Dragons as an attacking force. If he can, points shouldn't be in short supply. Damiens Blanch and Cardace - one of five homegrown talents to be promoted to the first team - should get plenty of chances on the wings, while Webb is always a dangerous attacking option from full-back. Up front the pack has power in plentiful supply. Elima bolsters the front row and the Perpignan club have strength in depth to cover for injuries. Getting into the play-offs should be the least of their expectations for 2013."

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