Tuesday 11 March 2014 13:29, UK
Catalan Dragons have summoned their players back from a week in the United Kingdom to hold crisis talks in Perpignan following a disastrous start to the new Super League season.
The Dragons suffered a humiliating 56-14 defeat to Wakefield Wildcats on Sunday, their fourth successive defeat. They currently sit 12th in the table, with only London Broncos and Bradford, who have actually won twice but were deducted six points for entering administration, below them.
The plan had originally been for the squad to remain in England ahead of Friday’s clash against St Helens at Langtree Park, however the French club issued a statement on their website on Tuesday explaining they had now instead returned home.
They also announced that, after a meeting on Monday night, experienced forward Jamal Fakir has been made available for their reserve side, Saint Esteve XIII Catalan, for the remainder of their season which ends in May.
The Dragons have also revealed New Zealand full-back Brent Webb, who underwent back surgery last season, will now have to undergo a series of tests to prove his current level of fitness.
Catalan – who made the play-offs last year - have so far scored just 66 points while conceding 164, meaning they have the league’s second-worst defence behind the Broncos.
Club owner Bernard Guasch has spoken with chief executive Christophe Jouffet and the coaching team of Laurent Frayssinous and assistants Jerome Guisset and David Waite, whose jobs are thought to be safe.
Meanwhile, Louis Anderson will miss the Dragons' clash against St Helens at Langtree Park on Friday after being banned for one game after admitting a Grade B offence for making dangerous contact on Wakefield's Taulima Tautai.
