WIGAN chairman Chris Brookes has launched a strong defence of Catalans Dragons amid continuing debate over the French club’s Super League future.

The Dragons’ status in the elite competition is one item being considered as the sport in the northern hemisphere undergoes a strategic review this year.

That review was prompted by a series of unrelated issues during what has been a turbulent and challenging period for the game’s governance, with the Rugby Football League, the controlling body, seeing major internal change.

With other items also up for review, the long-term viability of retaining French sides in otherwise British competitions — Toulouse also play in the Championship — has been questioned.

Yet for Wigan, who on Friday announced they will play the Dragons in Paris next season in a game promoted by both clubs, there is no doubt about the value of the Perpignan-based outfit.

Professor Brookes said: “Our connection with the Catalans team shows how much we support Catalans being within Super League.

“We see this team as absolutely critical to the future of our sport and we’re 100 per cent behind the French team and what they bring, the brand of rugby league they play. Our fans love going there.

“We see what this team does is absolutely pivotal to the future of the game and an essential part of it looking forward.”

Wigan, the current Super League champions, will face the Dragons at the Stade Jean Bouin on June 6, 2026.

The regular-season clash in the French capital, which will be a Catalans “home” game, will form part of the celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Dragons’ entrance to Super League.

It will also come 30 years after Super League itself was launched with a game between Paris St Germain and Sheffield Eagles.