Bottom side London Broncos head across the channel to face Catalans Dragons, who fell to a heavy defeat to Broncos’ relegation rivals Leeds Rhinos last time out.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Catalans Dragons
After their brilliant 30-10 win against Warrington Wolves a fortnight ago, Catalans were humbled 48-8 away to Leeds Rhinos in their last outing.
Michael Goudemard’s solitary try was the only positive to take away from a poor display, with Handley (2), Martin, Myler (2), Lui and Briscoe all crossing for the Yorkshire side.
London Broncos
Rhys Williams, Luke Yates, Matthew Fleming, Sadiq Adebiyi and Rob Butler scored in the crazy 28-58 loss at home to Salford Red Devils two weeks ago.
And Brock Lamb’s try was the best London could muster in the 20-6 loss to Castleford last time out as their forward line struggled to have any kind of success against a solid Tigers side.
SQUAD NEWS
Catalans Dragons
The Dragons make no alterations to the squad selected for the heavy defeat at Leeds Rhinos.
Sam Tomkins and Michael McIlorum are unavailable as they are both serving the second game of three-match bans.
Catalans Dragons 19-man squad: Gigot, Mead, Wiliame, Tierney, Langi, Casty, Edwards, Garcia, Bird, Bousquet, Simon, Jullien, Whitley, Da Costa, Goudemand, Albert, Maria, Romano, Kasiano.
London Broncos
Danny Ward has decided to make four changes to the side that lost to Castleford last time out.
Matt Gee, Ryan Morgan, Dan Hindmarsh and Guy Armitage all come in to replace Ben Hellewell, Matty Fleming, Sadiq Adebiyi and Rob Butler.
London Broncos 19-man squad: Abdull, Armitage, Battye, Cunningham, Dixon, Fozard, Gee, Hindmarsh, Ioane, Kear, Krasniqi, Lamb, Lovell, Mason, Morgan, Pitts, Walker, Williams, Yates.
HEAD TO HEAD
Despite contrasting form guides, London won the last meeting between the two sides rather comfortably.
Jordan Abdull, Rhys Williams (2), Elliot Kear and Kieran Dixon all scored in the crucial win for the away side, whilst Fouad Yaha’s hattrick was not enough to prevent the hosts from falling to a surprising and disappointing defeat.
KEY BATTLE
Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons) vs Rhys Williams (London Broncos)
Yaha’s brilliant hattrick when the two sides last met back in June was a joy to beyond as the winger tore his defensive opponents to shreds. Alas, he needed more help from his teammates and it will be the same case in this one. Either way, though, he will be one to watch.
And Williams’ performance was too far from the standard. The Welsh international’s relentless line speed made him uncontainable as he powered his side to victory. Broncos will need him to step up once again if they are to get what would be another incredibly important win.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date:ย Saturday 17th August 2019
Venue:ย Stade Gilbert Brutus
Kick-off:ย 17:00 GMT
Referee:ย L. Moore
WHO WILL WIN?
This is going to be exciting. The Dragons are one of three teams just four points outside the top four whilst a win for London would move them level with Wakefield, Huddersfield and Hull KR at the foot of the Super League table. Both sides can play brilliant rugby and previous meeting suggest it will be a high-scoring affair. Catalans to win: 28-18.
