Greg Bird has starred for Catalans in the French side's 20-12 Super League season-opening win over Warrington in Perpignan.
The 32-year-old former NRL star Bird - in his second stint at the Dragons - earned plenty of praise for his performance from coach Laurent Frayssinous as Catalans overcame one of the competition favourites and last season's runners-up on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
"I thought defensively we were good despite the number of changes we made in the off season. We conceded just 12 points and our attitude to turn up for each other tonight was very pleasing and I'm pleased with the win," he said.
Regarding Bird, who topped a man-of-the-match performance with a try just after halftime, Frayssinous said: "I think after 25 minutes, he had 13 carries and 18 tackles, something around those figures so that shows how impressive he is.
"He's a leader for us, and he has asked the players to follow his lead and he led by example tonight and he was very good, like he was in the trial games and like he has been in all of pre-season. I'm very happy we've got him in our team."
Bird requested a release from Gold Coast last October, allowing the 235-game NRL veteran to return to Perpignan.
The former Australia and NSW State of Origin back-rower played for the Dragons in 2009 after they resurrected his career following his sacking from Cronulla at the end of the 2008 NRL season.
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