London Broncos & Catalans Dragons - who has played for both?

London Broncos & Catalans Dragons - who has played for both?

Jordan Abdull

A current Catalans player but also a player that will bring back many fond memories of his one year (2019) at London Broncos. Jordan was born in Hull and started his playing career as a Black & White in 2014 but even in his early stages of his career he wasn’t afraid to make bold decisions - going on loan to the Robins in East Hull on loan. It was this season (2018) in the Championship that Abdull’s talent began to shine through and then came a move to newly promoted London Broncos in the Super League in 2019. It was a season that ended in heartbreak for the Broncos as they were relegated from Super League on points difference however Abdull shone once more, scoring 10 tries in 28 games.

Abdull would be on the move once more at the end of 2019 and headed back to Hull and this time a permanent move to Hull KR. Abdull spent three seasons at Craven Park before a surprise loan move to Catalans Dragons materialised. It was recently announced that Abdull will return to Hull for 2025 but will once again be wearing Black & White. 

Eloi Pellisier

Eloi is a man who was a Catalans stalwart for a number of years after breaking through and establishing himself as the clubs hooker in 2011. Pellisier enjoyed 5 years in Perpignan going on to play 155 times scoring 27 tries in his time at the club. Pellisier moved to Leigh Centurions in 2017 before moving back to France with Lezignan Sangliers. A move to capital and London Broncos came in 2018 where he would spend 2 years - playing 27 times and scoring 5 tries. Pellisier moved back to France and with Toulouse in 2021 where he is still playing.

Dean Whare

A brief but memorable stint in London for Dean in 2023 helped us secure promotion back to Super League. Whare is best known for his time at Penrith Panthers where he established himself as one of the best centre’s in the NRL - playing for both Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers. After a number of seasons playing in the NRL finals Whare moved to Catalans Dragons in 2021 seeking an opportunity to play Super League rugby.

His time in France was a memorable one where he would play 38 times scoring 6 tries but helping the Perpignan club to the Grand Final. Whare would play in that game but they would lose to St Helens at Old Trafford. Whare left Catalans that summer but stayed in France signing for Pia Donkeys but played just 9 times before joining the London Broncos. Dean would score 12 tries in just 13 games proving to be a key player as promotion from the Championship was secured in Toulouse in the Million Pound Game.

Romain Navarette 

The Frenchman is still playing for Catalans Dragons but has enjoyed a career which has taken him to many clubs. Starting his career in France with both Pia Donkeys and Limoux Grizzlies before a surprise move to play in England with Hemel Stags in League 1 in 2014. Navarette would join Catalans Dragons, for his first spell and initially with the clubs development side Saint Esteve, in 2015 but would play just a handful of times for the first team before securing a move to Wigan Warriors. He would play 60 times for Wigan during a three year spell but would also have loans at; Swinton and Wakefield. 

Navarette then joined London Broncos in the Championship in 2021 and would play for just one season playing 11 times and scoring 2 tries. Following this year a move back to France with Toulouse and then back to Catalans where he is still playing.

Ugo Tison

The final player to be featured on this list but this time it is a current London Broncos player. Ugo is still in the early stages of his career but has impressed during his time in London. The 23 year old began is career in the Catalans Dragons feeder team Saint-Esteve where he would feature regularly for a couple of seasons before getting his opportunity to play for Catalans in 2022 making his debut against Wigan Warriors. Ugo would make his international debut the following season in 2023 against England at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Ugo had loan spells at Toulouse and Wakefield before then initially joining London Broncos on loan in March of 2024. After impressing the deal was made permanent and Ugo is set to feature against his former club this weekend. See his interview after permanently joining the London Broncos below.

Other players who have played for both: Mike McMeeken, William Barthau, Julian Rinaldi, Ben Fisher, Ben Farrar