Catalan prop reunited with Webster at Trinity

Simon, 27, will join from Catalan Dragons in November and further bolsters Trinity’s pack for next season after they recently renewed contracts for fellow forwards Scott Anderson and Nick Scruton.

He has been restricted to just nine league appearances for them this year but has plenty of top-flight experience and featured with France in the 2013 World Cup where Webster – who has also captured Hull KR utility back Craig Hall – was an assistant coach for the Les Tricolores.

“I need a new challenge and I want to play as many games as possible for Wakefield,” said Simon, who has 15 Test caps.

“I hope I can settle quickly in the team and the culture of the country. James is a very good coach and I enjoyed working with him at the World Cup.

“The start he has had as head coach is great for the club, the players and for James.

“I know that I will progress with the help of James and the other coaching staff. Hopefully, I can bring my enthusiasm to the team and just do my job.”

Wakefield, who head to Perpignan on Saturday, are unbeaten in Webster’s first five games in charge since replacing Richard Agar.

He said: “Mickael is a big, strong ball-carrier with a good engine and he will be able to play big minutes for us in the middle of the field.

“I know him well from my time with France at the World Cup, he has a very good knowledge of the game and will add something to the two props we’ve already secured for next year in Scott Anderson and Nick Scruton.”

Standing at 6ft 2in tall and weighing over 16 stones, Simon certainly has some presence.

It is felt that his best years are still ahead of him given that props generally do not tend to mature in terms of quality until their late 20s or early 30s.

Furthermore, Wakefield fans – who appreciated the robustness of another French forward, Oliver Elima, earlier in Super League – are sure to welcome his physical nature.