SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW | Catalan Dragons vs Leeds Rhinos
Catalan will be looking to make it three wins in a row as they welcome a depleted Leeds side to Perpignan. Here’s everything you need to know
SQUAD NEWS
Catalans Dragons
Steve McNamara has made one change to his side following their 26-12 win over Salford last weekend at Magic Weekend. That change is Mickael Goudemand who has come in for the injured Justin Baitieri.
Catalans are on a two-game winning streak, following a 54-16 win over Featherstone and and a 26-12 win over Salford.
However they currently sit 10th with a handful of fixtures left. Will Steve McNamara men make it three wins in a row on Saturday?
Catalan Dragons 19-man squad: Mead, Broughton, Thornley, Wiliame, Casty, Moa, Anderson, Garcia, Bird, Bousquet, Simon, McIlorum, Tierney, Jullien, Maria, Da Costa, Gigot, Goudemand, Drinkwater
Leeds Rhinos
Brian McDermott has made a few changes to his side following last weeks defeat to Castleford at Magic Weekend, with captain Kallum Watkins, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Nathaniel Peteru all sustaining injuries.
They have been replaced by Jimmy Kienhorst, Jordan Lilley and Jack Ormondroyd.
Leeds are having a mixed season, currently sitting sixth. With losses against Warrington and Castleford either side of a victory against Widnes, Brian McDermott side will hope to get back to winning ways this Saturday.
Leeds Rhinos 19-man squad: Golding, Briscoe, Hall, Myler, Cuthbertson, Parcell, Ablett, Ward, Dwyer, Delaney, Keinhorst, Ferres, Handley, Ormondroyd, Walker, Lilley, Smith, Oledzki, Walters
HEAD TO HEAD
This will be the first meeting of the season for the two teams, after their match was postponed back in March.
In the last five games between the two teams, Leeds have won twice and Catalans three times. However, Leeds have won the last two meetings. The Rhinos will be looking to stop Catalans winger Jodie Broughton, who has scored two hat-tricks in his last two games.
KEY BATTLE- Josh Drinkwater v Richie Myler
The battle of the halfback will be key for which team comes out on top. For Catalans is Josh Drinkwater. The new signing has been instrumental in the Dragons revival so far. Bringing a new flair to the home sides attack, he will be looking show that flair against a weakened Leeds side.
For Leeds is the former Catalan Dragons star Richie Myler. The former Warrington and England Knight player has abundance of experience. That experience he will need to give his side every chance of bringing two points back for his side.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Saturday 26 May
Venue: Stade Gilbert Brutus
Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
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