The Dragons face the Rhinos in the south of France in the sole Saturday fixture.
Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Catalans Dragons
Catalans have won three and lost three this season, sitting on 6 points. Last week’s narrow victory over Hull KR caused some concern but they managed to survive to take the two points.
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds followed up two abysmal displays against Wakefield and Hull FC with another against London Broncos last week. The Rhinos could be in real trouble this season and desperately need a win to kick-start their season.
SQUAD NEWS
Catalans Dragons
Saturday’s game could see the debut of new signing Sam Kasiano. The powerful forward signed with the Dragons from NRL side Melbourne Storm.
However, Greg Bird and Sam Moa will miss the game due to concussions suffered in last week’s win against Hull KR.
Catalans 19-man squad: Gigot, Williame, Tierney, Langi, Smith, Casty, Edwards, Bousquet, Whitley, Da Costa, Goudemand, Belmas, Albert, Maria, Baitieri, Romano, Yaha, Tomkins, Kasiano.
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds welcome back captain Kallum Watkins, who missed the last two games with a knee injury. Brad Dwyer, Cameron Smith and Brad Singleton also all return.
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Prop Adam Cuthbertson misses out through an ankle injury as well as Harry Newman.
Halfback Richie Myler is set to make his 300th career appearance on Saturday.
Leeds 19-man squad: Walker,ย Briscoe,ย Watkins,ย Hurrell,ย Handley,ย Lolohea,ย Myler,ย Parcell,ย Singleton,ย Merrin,ย Dwyer,ย Sutcliffe,ย Ferres,ย Peteru,ย Oledzki,ย Jones-Buchanan,ย Smith,ย Donaldson,ย Holroyd
HEAD TO HEAD
Catalans won both games between these two sides last year. The biggest home win by the Dragons against Leeds came in 2011 when they won 38-18; this could easily be broken on Saturday. Strangely, Rhinos’ star Richie Myler has been on the losing side in the last four meetings, losing twice with Leeds last season and in 2017 losing both home and away to Leeds whilst at the Dragons.
KEY BATTLE
Tony Gigot (Catalans) v Jack Walker (Leeds)
Tony Gigot has blossomed into one of the most dangerous fullbacks in Super League and the addition of Sam Tomkins means he has someone to learn even more from as well as competition to keep his performances high.
Walker, meanwhile, burst onto the scene in Leeds’ 2017 Grand Final winning season and won the starting spot from Ashton Golding. However, he has struggled this season with both injuries and mistakes.
A solid performance from Walker on Saturday would go a long way to showing he was worth all the hope and expectation. Gigot has the potential to dominate the game and lead the Dragons to a victory against struggling opposition.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date:ย Saturday 23rd March
Venue:ย Stade Gilbert Brutus
Kick-off:ย 6PM local time (5PM GMT)
Referee: Robert Hicks
WHO WILL WIN?
I think the Dragons will be far too strong for a Leeds side struggling to do anything in attack and making too many mistakes defensively. 50-12 Catalans win.ย ย
