Catalans Dragons have again shown their impressive ambition by capturing Jason Ryles, the 29-year-old former Australia prop, who had two years left on his contract at the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL but had been told by Wayne Bennett, who takes over the coaching reins there next season, that he was free to negotiate with other clubs.

Ryles has agreed a three-year contract with the Perpignan-based club, reportedly worth £850,000. He is a direct replacement for Alex Chan, the 33-year-old former New Zealand front-row forward who makes his 77th appearance for Catalans at home to Warrington Wolves this evening and confirmed yesterday that he is to retire at the end of the season.

Ryles, 6ft 4in and 18st 10lb, made 15 appearances for the Kangaroos from 2001 to 2005 and will link up in France with Clint Greenshields and Aaron Gorrell, two of his former St George team-mates. “Following Alex Chan's decision to leave at the end of the season, we were looking for a big, strong front-rower and Jason soon became our priority,” Christophe Levy, the Catalans general manager, said. “His experience at the highest level will be beneficial to all the team.”

Ryles is the second signing made by Kevin Walters, who succeeds the St Helens-bound Mick Potter as coach from next season, after the recruitment of Steve Bell, the Manly Sea Eagles centre. “It is a fantastic signing for Catalans,” Potter said. “Alex has done a great job on and off the field for the club over the last three years. Jason will help the club go farther and achieve its objectives.”

Ryles said: “It will be disappointing to leave St George and it won't change my commitment and focus to the club for the rest of this season, but I am looking forward to joining Catalans. The club is doing really well and I look forward to being a part of it going forward.”

Catalans will look to maintain the pressure on second-placed St Helens with an eleventh win in 12 league matches against a resurgent Warrington team under James Lowes, who has been given the coach's job until the end of the year to prove himself.

France have a doubt over Jérôme Guisset, their captain and the Catalans prop, for the Gillette Fusion international against England in Toulouse on Friday. Guisset injured a thigh in last Saturday's 45-38 win over Wigan Warriors. Maxime Greseque has been ruled out with a torn thigh muscle.

In this evening's other engage Super League match, Hull Kingston Rovers, who are reeling from Scott Murrell, their loose forward, being sidelined for six months with a shoulder injury, entertain Wakefield Wildcats, who aim to consolidate their top-six place.