Dragons U19 won their last friendly game (44-4) against Montpellier this week-end, two weeks before the start of the season against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday 27^th of February. For Mathieu Khedimi, director of Youth and development, it will be a really big challenge.

In 2015, Catalans U19 played some games against Super League U19 sides. It was a great opportunity for them to show their motivation to play in the official competition this season. Now, they just have to confirm the good preseason work they have done during all the winter. “Thierry Dumaine, his staff and all the club did a great job for the players. Now, they have to play well and to be focused on the next game against Rhinos.” Said former French international Mathieu Khedimi.

The main goal of this U19 team is to prepare the future of Catalans Dragons. “We hope to have, at least, 80% of French players in our Super League squad in five years. In these 80%, we would like to see 70% of Catalan born players, who came through our development system.” Explain Khedimi. An ambitious but interesting goal for rugby league in the South of France. Catalans will also create an U16 team for 2017.