Mourgue opens door to NRL switch as Catalans eye historic Grand Final spot
Arthur Mourgue dreams of helping Catalans to a historic Grand Final win and testing himself in the NRL one day.
On Saturday afternoon, though, one of Super League’s brightest talents will look to cast a spell over title rivals Wigan at Magic Weekend.
Third-placed Dragons versus the second-placed Warriors is a fixture to increase the heartbeat and Mourgue is ready for the challenge.
The 24-year-old full-back, an ever-present this season, said: “It’s a massive game and we need to win. I’ve just signed a new two-year deal, so of course I see my future here and my dream is to win Super League with this club.
“And I think we have the talent in the team to do it this year. There’s a good mix of youth and experience, so on our day we can beat anyone. I love playing for the Dragons but I’d never close the door on playing in the NRL.
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“If I got that chance in the future, I’d probably take it. Growing up, my idol was the New Zealand legend Shaun Johnson.”
Mourgue made his debut in 2018, the year Catalans created shockwaves by beating Warrington in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
Their win breathed passion and romance into the British game and Mourgue added: “That was a crazy day! I didn’t play but was lucky enough to be there on such a truly historic occasion.”
Three years later, he was part of the Dragons side who clinched the League Leaders’ Shield after defeating St Helens in an epic encounter in Newcastle.
It was the most dramatic game in Magic Weekend history as Catalans trailed 30-12 but scored three late tries before James Maloney’s drop-goal in golden-point extra-time sealed a 31-30 win.
Mourgue has been an ever-present this season (Laurent Selles/Catalans Dragons/SWpix.com/REX/Shutterstock)Mourgue said: “That was an unbelievable game and certainly one of my best memories. I was so happy at the end when Jimmy kicked the drop-goal.
“It was a strange one for me because I started on the bench but Fouad Yaha got injured and I came on to play wing. I ended up at hooker, so it was a tough game but an incredible result.”
The sides met a month later at Old Trafford when McNamara’s men were edged out by Saints in their only Grand Final appearance to date.
Mourgue, who hails from Avignon, loves playing at big football stadiums and travels to watch Marseille on a regular basis.
He admitted: “I’m desperate to get back to Old Trafford for another Grand Final and hopefully win it next time. I’ve been to watch Marseille many times and the atmosphere there is another world.
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“It’s a mad experience at the Velodrome, but playing at Newcastle and Old Trafford is pretty amazing too.”
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