SL Preview: Catalans v Wakefield
Catalans must make do without the talismanic Todd Carney, as well as Willie Tonga and Michael Oldfield.
New signing Krisnan Inu is included in the Dragons’ squad, however. Jeff Lima also returns from suspension.
Wakefield are the only team that Catalans have beaten away from home this season, and they will be looking to achieve a rare double over a rival Super League side.
The Wildcats will hope that new coach Brian Smith can give Trinity a boost as he beds down into his new role.
A 15-game Super League losing streak would suggest that his aim of keeping the club in Super League this season might be a tough ask.
Dan Smith and Stuart Howarth are absent with injury, but Reece Lynne and Richard Owen do return.
Catalans (19-man squad): Escare, Pomeroy, Dureau, Elima, Henderson, Casty, Anderson, Mounis, Bosc, Lima, Pelissier, Whitehead, Garcia, Cardace, Maria, Baitieri, Yaha, Gigot, Inu
Wakefield (19-man squad): Annakin, Arundel, Godinet, Johnstone, Jowitt, Kavanagh, Kirke, Kirmond, Lyne, McShane, Miller, Molloy, Owen, Riley, Ryan, Scruton, Simon, T Smith, Washbrook
Stats:
Catalans back rower Elliott Whitehead has scored tries in the Dragons’ last three meetings with Wakefield (2-3-1).
Wakefield have lost their last 15 Super League matches. Their last league win was 44-24 at home to Hull Kingston Rovers on 15 February.
Super League Summary:
Catalans Dragons won 11 (includes win in 2009 play-offs)
Wakefield won 11
Catalans Dragons highest score: 42-22 (A, 2011) (Widest margin: 40-4, A, 2015)
Wakefield highest score: 56-14 (H, 2014) (also widest margin)
Last 10 meetings:
Wakefield 4, Catalans Dragons 40 (SLR8, 2/4/15)
Catalans Dragons 40, Wakefield 6 (SLR21, 19/7/14)
Wakefield 56, Catalans Dragons 14 (SLR4, 9/3/14)
Wakefield 30, Catalans Dragons 12 (SLR14, 4/5/13)
Catalans Dragons 29, Wakefield 22 (SLR5, 2/3/13)
Catalans Dragons 34, Wakefield 10 (SLR19, 30/6/12)
Wakefield 32, Catalans Dragons 22 (SLR7, 25/3/12)
Wakefield 22, Catalans Dragons 42 (SLR15, 29/5/11)
Catalans Dragons 14, Wakefield 38 (SLR2, 19/2/11)
Catalans Dragons 30, Wakefield 23 (SLR18, 19/6/10)