Double setback for Dragons

Friday 5th February 2010

Catalans Dragons have suffered a major double blow on the eve of the new season with the loss of France internationals Thomas Bosc and Jamal Fakir.

Scrum-half Bosc, who was appointed as the club's new captain, is facing a month on the sidelines after damaging his ankle in training, while second-rower Fakir is out of Sunday's opening game at Wakefield with a hamstring injury.

"Thomas rolled his ankle in a drill we were doing," said Catalans coach Kevin Walters. "He'll be around a month, which is disappointing for the club and for Thomas, but we're hoping Jamal will only be a week or two. We have some options with Jean Phillippe Baile and the like."

Former Wakefield second-rower Olivier Elima, who captained France in the 2009 Four Nations series, will lead the Dragons in the absence of Bosc.

The Catalans are also without Australian forward Dane Carlaw, who has yet to recover from a calf injury, but will give Super League debuts to overseas trio Dallas Johnson, Setaimata Sa and Chris Walker.