SL Preview: Catalans v Hull KR (Sat)

Catalans head coach Laurent Frayssinous has named an unchanged squad for Saturday’s on-the-road match against Hull KR in Toulouse.

The Dragons are still without Brent Webb, Olivier Elima, Louis Anderson, Julian Bousquet and Jason Baitieri, so they have named the squad that comfortably overcame Hull FC 30-4 in their last Super League fixure.

Rovers will have Sean Gleeson taking his place in the squad for the first time this season after a long-standing back problem, whilst Cory Paterson also makes a return having completed a four-match ban. However, Lincoln Withers misses out due to a hamstring injury.

Winger David Hodgson had this to say, “I think the battle in the forwards is key. They have got some smart half-backs and if they get a chance to play off the back of their forwards then it will be tough for us.

“When you play Catalan you have to nullify their pack. If you do a job on them you go a long way to winning the game.”

Catalans 19-man squad: Blanch, Pryce, Taia, Bosc, Dureau, Henderson, Casty, Menzies, Mounis, Maria, Pelissier, Larroyer, Millard, Simon, Fakir, Paea, Duport, Vaccari, Escaré.

Hull KR 19-man squad: Salter, Netherton, Walker, Gleeson, Tuimavave, Cox, Mika, Burns, Horne, Brown, Hall, Paea, D. Hodgson, Lovegrove, Dobson, Paterson, Eden, Carlile, J. Hodgson.

Prediction: Home advantage could prove the difference. Catalans to win a tight game.

Stats:

Catalan Dragons have won their last four meetings with Hull KR, with the Robins’ last victory coming 30-28 at Stade Gilbert Brutus on 3 September, 2011.

Super League summary:

Hull KR won 6

Catalan Dragons won 8 (includes win in 2011 play-offs)

Hull KR highest score: 44-10 (H, 2009) (also widest margin)

Catalan Dragons highest score: 56-6 (H, 2011 EPO) (also widest margin)