Latest news with #SteveMcNamara
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Joel Tomkins pledges to end Catalans' ‘retirement home' tag after becoming coach
JOEL Tomkins has vowed to end Catalans' retirement home reputation as he looks to get them back to the top. And the dual-code England international will take bits from coaches he has worked with in union and league. Advertisement 2 Joel Tomkins has promised to look younger for NRL talent after landing the Catalans coaching job Credit: The 38-year-old has been handed the job of replacing Steve McNamara as boss until the end of 2027. Top of his list is turning around the Perpignan-based Dragons, who have spent big and delivered little. A big part of that is switching the way it will target stars from the NRL. Tomkins said: 'The recruitment model moving forward is changing quite a lot, we're looking at the younger generation. Advertisement 'It's quite obvious to see there are a lot of guys who've come from the NRL and are at the end of their careers, looking to play the last couple of years in France then retiring on the back of it. 'We're looking at guys who are still on the upwards slope, who are still climbing, who are coming over with a different mentality. MOST READ IN RUGBY LEAGUE Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive 'They'd want to develop a reputation and either go back to the NRL as an NRL player or stay here long-term. 'The big one is we're avoiding those players who are coming to the end of their careers. We're looking at the other end. Advertisement Most read in Rugby League 'The average age of our top 20 players this year is over 31-years-old – we're looking at bringing that down to 26 or 27. 'You'll see that change over the coming weeks and months.' Tomkins will not have little brother Sam on his staff as he is going into the media after he re-retires at the end of the season. 2 Tomkins ended his own playing career with a stint at the Dragons Credit: Advertisement And after working with big name bosses in his playing days, he will use one trait that unites them all into his coaching career. He added: "I've spent a lot of time thinking about that over the last couple of years. 'I was really lucky to work under some of the top coaches in the world – Michael Maguire and Shaun Wane in league, Mark McCall and Stuart Lancaster in union. 'I also worked under Steve McNamara as a player and a coach and the thing the best coaches had was honesty and integrity. Advertisement 'I'll be honest and upfront with the players. I'll tell them when they're doing well but I won't be afraid of having those awkward conversations when they're not. 'The integrity side means it doesn't matter what someone's being paid or what they've done in their career. You pick your team on who's playing the best rugby – not names or pay packets.'
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Joel Tomkins pledges to end Catalans' ‘retirement home' tag after becoming coach
JOEL Tomkins has vowed to end Catalans' retirement home reputation as he looks to get them back to the top. And the dual-code England international will take bits from coaches he has worked with in union and league. 2 The 38-year-old has been handed the job of replacing Steve McNamara as boss until the end of 2027. Top of his list is turning around the Perpignan-based Dragons, who have spent big and delivered little. A big part of that is switching the way it will target stars from the NRL. Tomkins said: 'The recruitment model moving forward is changing quite a lot, we're looking at the younger generation. 'It's quite obvious to see there are a lot of guys who've come from the NRL and are at the end of their careers, looking to play the last couple of years in France then retiring on the back of it. 'We're looking at guys who are still on the upwards slope, who are still climbing, who are coming over with a different mentality. 'They'd want to develop a reputation and either go back to the NRL as an NRL player or stay here long-term. 'The big one is we're avoiding those players who are coming to the end of their careers. We're looking at the other end. 'The average age of our top 20 players this year is over 31-years-old – we're looking at bringing that down to 26 or 27. 'You'll see that change over the coming weeks and months.' Tomkins will not have little brother Sam on his staff as he is going into the media after he re-retires at the end of the season. 2 And after working with big name bosses in his playing days, he will use one trait that unites them all into his coaching career. He added: "I've spent a lot of time thinking about that over the last couple of years. 'I was really lucky to work under some of the top coaches in the world – Michael Maguire and Shaun Wane in league, Mark McCall and Stuart Lancaster in union. 'I also worked under Steve McNamara as a player and a coach and the thing the best coaches had was honesty and integrity. 'I'll be honest and upfront with the players. I'll tell them when they're doing well but I won't be afraid of having those awkward conversations when they're not. 'The integrity side means it doesn't matter what someone's being paid or what they've done in their career. You pick your team on who's playing the best rugby – not names or pay packets.'
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Catalans appoint Tomkins as boss to end of season
Catalans Dragons have appointed former forward Joel Tomkins as their head coach until the end of the 38-year-old ended his playing career with Les Dracs in 2021 having made 25 appearances for the club over two previously worked as part of Wigan's coaching staff during their quadruple-winning 2024 campaign, he moved to Perpignan for 2025 and took over on a temporary basis for the past five games after Steve McNamara's exit earlier this term."I am delighted to be appointed as head coach of the Catalans Dragons and I want to thank the club's owner and directors for the trust they've placed in me," Tomkins told the club website, external."I may be still early in my coaching journey, but I come into this role with passion, enthusiasm and total belief in what this team can achieve."I've been fortunate to learn from some outstanding mentors and my experiences within the game, and I'm ready to bring a fresh perspective to the team and club."The French side ended a seven-game losing streak with a 32-0 win over Huddersfield last week and are five points off the play-off places heading into Saturday's trip to Wakefield.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Catalans confirm sacking of head coach McNamara
Catalans Dragons have announced the sacking of head coach Steve McNamara, over a month since he last led the side. The former England coach's last game in charge was the 40-0 Super League defeat by St Helens on 15 May, with Joel Tomkins leading the team on an interim basis in their past five games. Advertisement However, until Monday Les Dracs had not formally confirmed McNamara, 53, would be leaving his post. During his eight years in charge he guided them to their first ever Challenge Cup success in 2018 and two Grand Final appearances. In a statement, Catalans thanked McNamara for his "commitment and the success he achieved". "After eight years, and without questioning his qualities, the Catalans Dragons have decided not to continue their collaboration with their head coach Steve McNamara - a decision that has been accepted by him," the club said. The French side ended a seven-game losing streak with a 32-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday and are five points off the play-off places. They face a trip to Wakefield Trinity this weekend. More to follow.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Catalans sack head coach McNamara
Catalans Dragons have sacked head coach Steve McNamara after eight years in to follow. More to follow.
