The Catalans Dragons are one of the newest teams in the European Super League and the first French side to play in the competition since Paris Saint-Germain dropped out in 1997.

Based in the southern French city of Perpignan, the Dragons were born in 2001 when the famous XIII Catalan and St Esteve clubs merged and renamed themselves Union Treiziste Catalan as they continued to play in the French League.

In 2006 they were invited to enter the Super League - ahead of other French sides Toulouse and Villeneuve - and a target of 75 per cent of players to come from France was set to provide the backbone for the French national side.

To give the Catalans Dragons the best chance of achieving this, two rules were changed. Firstly, the French Rugby League allowed the Dragons to sign any French players on free transfers and, secondly, the Super League - keen to have a French side in the league - granted them immunity from relegation for three years, even if they finished bottom.

Despite winning their first ever game in the Super League 38-30 against Wigan, the club did finish bottom in their debut season.

The Dragons have improved since, though, under the coaching of Australian Mick Potter and came 10th in 2007 - thanks largely to recruiting players from the southern hemisphere.

In the same season they became the first non-English side to reach the final of the Challenge Cup after beating Wigan in the semi-final, but their dreams of further glory were crushed by a ruthless St Helens side, who romped home 30-8.

The remarkable rise of the Dragons continued in 2008 when they reached the play-offs after finishing third in the League.

Potter was replaced by fellow Australian Kevin Walters at the start of the 2009 season as the club looked to continue their steady rise in the Super League.