Catalans Dragons suffer another blow to their forward pack
Photo: Manuel Blondeau/SWpix
Catalans Dragons were without three forwards for Saturday’s win over Wakefield – and they will be missing another for their upcoming match at Leeds.
Steve McNamara’s side were without Dylan Napa and Gil Dudson in last week’s 24-22 win over Wakefield in Perpignan. The props began their respective four and three match bans.
France international prop Julian Bousquet will spend a period on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to his broken arm, which he suffered in their opening round defeat to St Helens.
And now the Dragons will be without Mickael Goudemand for their trip to Leeds on Thursday. The 25-year-old, who has won six caps for France, failed his head injury assessment in the Wakefield game. He will miss their game at Leeds due to the concussion return to play protocol.
Speaking after his side’s win over Trinity, McNamara said: “We’ve got a really short turnaround before Leeds on Thursday and we know what we have to work on.
“But we will be without another forward after Mickael Goudemand failed his head injury assessment, which obviously makes our job more difficult.”
More on Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons made to work for first win of the season by Wakefield
Catalans owner Bernard Guasch recovering in hospital
RFL provide clarity on high tackle punishments
Meanwhile, Wakefield coach Willie Poching was proud of his side’s effort in their narrow loss in the south of France.
Trinity face another big test in the shape of champions St Helens on Friday night, but Poching insists they fear no-one.
He said: We know what we are capable of and we were unlucky not to come out on top.
“We face St Helens next week and that’s (last season’s) two Grand Finalists, but we’ve shown that we fear no-one.
“Teams like Catalans and St Helens make you work hard, and to perform like we did tonight will give us great confidence.
“There’s a massive element of pride in how we dug ourselves out of a hole but also disappointment that we gave such a quality team a leg-up that they didn’t need.”
PLAY: Our free to play Fantasy Rugby League is now live for 2022