A week ago there were genuine fears the Wests Tigers would lose Adam Doueihi to the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
Instead, with Doueihi agreeing to a two-year extension to remain at Concord the Tigers are set to lose another member of their enigmatic NRL backline, this time to the Super League.
UK media is reporting Charlie Stains will join the Catalan Dragons from 2026—along with current Wests Tigers teammate Sol Faataape—on a two-year deal.
Staines’ signing means the Perpignan-based Super League side will have a decidedly Australian flavour in 2026 as the former Panther links with fellow incoming NRL stars Toby Sexton, Faataape and Dolphins prop Josh Allen under new Catalans coach Joel Tomkins.
MORE: Solomona Faataape confirms his next club after Tigers exit
A 2022 premiership winner with the Panthers, Staines joined the Tigers in 2023 and has shown moments of brilliance in his three seasons with the club without ever locking down his place, scoring 16 tries in 38 games.
Still just 24, Staines was informed he wouldn’t be offered a deal at Concord in 2026 with the news Adam Doueihi had resigned for two seasons on an upgraded deal.
Following the mid-season release of both Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva, the Tigers roster continues to take shape for 2026.
Forwards Mavrik Geyer and Ethan Roberts were recently signed from the Panthers and Roosters respectively, along with Maroons 2025 State of Origin U19 star, Javon Andrews.
Ex-Tiger Jock Madden will also return in 2026 following a three-year stint with the Brisbane Broncos.