Catalans' Makinson to retire at end of season

Catalans Dragons winger Tommy Makinson has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old former England international won five Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup during a trophy-laden spell with St Helens between 2011 and 2024.

Saturday’s 42-20 defeat for Catalans at Huddersfield Giants all but confirmed the end of their slim play-off hopes meaning Makinson’s final game will be at his hometown team Wigan Warriors on Friday, 11 September.

“As the 2026 season moves towards its final stages, I feel now is the right time to announce that this will be my final season as a professional rugby league player,” Makinson posted on social media.

“Rugby league has been incredibly kind to me, and when I look back on the journey I’ve been on, I feel nothing but pride and gratitude.

“I’ve been very fortunate to live out a dream I had as a kid and represent some of the biggest clubs in England and France and also the pinnacle which is representing my country.”

He added: “I’ve still got a few games left, and I want to enjoy every second of them.

“I’ll be taking it all in, appreciating the moments and giving everything I have to finish this chapter of my career in the best possible way.”