Catalans Dragons sign Josh Drinkwater after Luke Walsh's retirement
Tuesday 24 April 2018 18:56, UK
Catalans Dragons have plugged the gap created by the retirement of Luke Walsh with the signing of former Leigh and London Broncos scrum-half Josh Drinkwater.
The 25-year-old will join the Dragons with immediate effect on a deal to the end of the season and could make his debut in Saturday's Betfred Super League fixture against Hull FC, live on Sky Sports Arena.
Drinkwater, a former Manly junior, made four appearances for St George Illawarra before making the move to Super League in 2014 with the Broncos, for whom he scored 136 points in 26 appearances.
The half-back moved back to the NRL with Wests Tigers but returned to England in 2016 when he joined Leigh on a three-year contract, which he cut short when they were relegated from Super League 18 months ago.
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Since then he has been playing for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the New South Wales Cup.
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Catalans coach Steve McNamara said: "Josh has had a brilliant start to the season in Australia and, having had previous experience in the Super League competition, knows a lot about the game over here.
"He will arrive in Perpignan on Wednesday and we will see how he pulls up before making a decision about Saturday."
The former Penrith Panthers half-back was in his second year with Catalans when he sustained significant ankle ligament damage in the third match of the season at Hull KR on February 15.
McNamara said: "It's always sad when a player has to retire early due to injury.
"Luke has tried everything possible to get himself into a position to play again but unfortunately that can't happen.
"His commitment and contribution to the Dragons is something we as a club really appreciate."
