Cyrille Gossard takes Catalan Dragons reserve team coach role

Gossard was part of Steve Deakin's backroom staff within the Dragons reserve team St Esteve

Catalans Dragons have appointed former player Cyrille Gossard as reserve team coach following the departure of Steve Deakin on compassionate grounds.

Gossard, 32, made 84 appearances for the Dragons between 2006 and 2012 and worked under Deakin as assistant with the St Esteve XIII side.

"I'm delighted to succeed Steve Deakin as new head coach of the Catalans Dragons reserve team," Gossard said.

St Esteve play in France's rugby league Elite Championship.

"My main goal, as Steve Deakin did during the last four seasons, will be to provide a maximum of players to the Super League squad," Gossard added.

Full-back Morgan Escare, prop Julien Bousquet and hooker Joan Guasch are among the Catalans players to have made an impact in the first team following spells in the reserve system.