By STEVE MASCORD

CATALANS have responded to criticism from retired forward Elliott Whitehead of their medical and rehab procedures.

The decorated Whitehead, who played 27 times for England and four for Great Britain before retiring this year at the age of 36, told the Canberra Times last month the Dragons did not properly support him in his bid to overcome a back injury this year.

“I was pretty disappointed with the medical staff over there at Catalans,” Whitehead, who has returned to the Australian capital as a coach at the Raiders, said.

“I felt like there were times when they weren’t really bothered about me.

“I asked them for scans and they kept saying, ‘Oh, we can’t get you in there’s too many tourists’. And I’m like, ‘You’re a professional club, what do you mean there’s too many tourists for a scan?’”

Catalans CEO Sebastian Munoz says he and everyone at the club remain on good terms with Whitehead and he was surprised by the criticism.

Speaking to rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads in his office at Stade Gilbert Brutus, Munoz said Whitehead wanted to return to Australian for treatment and his request was denied.

He said frustration at the club’s position on this and at the injury itself may have led to the outburst.

“I have a good relationship with Elliott,” Munoz said.

“I think … in France we have a good medical service. The medical at the Dragons is very, very good – good expertise.

“But Elliott, he wanted to go to Australia because of his injury. In France, this is not possible because when you are injured, you stay here.

“It’s possible with one or two or three other countries because we have an agreement with the government. But Australia? It’s not possible.

“The medical team (here) is fantastic. We have a lot of expertise with a lot of people

“I remember Elliott played very well when he started at the Dragons. I don’t know why he’s not happy with this.

“I think Elliott wanted to play more to close his career. It’s not easy when you finish but we don’t have a problem with Elliott.

“I think he just wanted to finish good. When you are professional sportsman it’s never easy when you have an injury, especially when that injury stops your career.

“Elliott is a competitor. He wanted a good finale and this injury stopped him.”

Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix