2018 Super League – Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Preview
AT A GLANCE
When? Saturday 8th September, 17:15
Where? Stade Gilbert Brutus
What channel is it on? Sky Sports Arena
Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Are tickets still available? https://www.dragons-billetterie.com/uk
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
CATALANS DRAGONS
Head Coach: Steve McNamara
Squad: Albert, Baitieri, Bird, Bousquet, Casty, Da Costa, Drinkwater, Duport, Edwards, Gigot, Goudemand, Jullien, Langi, McIlorum, Mead, Moa, Simon, Tierney, Wiliame
Unavailable: Jodie Broughton, Louis Anderson, Fouad Yaha, Ben Garcia
- Catalans succumbed to Castleford last week with the Dragons unable to back-up in the league following their Challenge Cup triumph. Catalans managed just the solitary try as they were comfortably beaten 36-4 by the Tigers.
- Michael McIlorum, Mickael Simon and Jason Baitieri all return to the 19-man squad having been left out last week. Ben Garcia is out whilst Lambert Belmas and Thibaut Margalet also make way.
- Catalans have now lost their last four league matches and will be looking to end that run as quickly as possible to end their campaign on a high.
ST HELENS
Head Coach: Justin Holbrook
Squad: Amor, Ashworth, Barba, Costello, Douglas, Fages, Grace, Knowles, Lees, Lomax, Makinson, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Percival, Richardson, Roby, A. Smith, Taia, Thompson, Wilkin
Unavailable: Alex Walmsley, Dom Peyroux, Ryan Morgan
- St Helens were unable to secure the League Leaders’ Shield last week as they were beaten by bitter rivals Wigan. The Warriors proved too good for Saints with their defence forcing plenty of errors as the table toppers fell to a 10-30 defeat.
- Ryan Morgan is out so Aaron Smith takes his place in the 19-man squad in the only change to Justin Holbrook’s side.
- St Helens have lost three of their last four games in all competitions and now face the side that started that run in the Challenge Cup semi-final last month.
THE PREDICTION
Catalans welcome league leaders St Helens to the Stade Gilbert Brutus with the home side looking to end their season on a high after four straight league losses. They face an out-of-sorts St Helens side that are still yet to claim the League Leaders’ Shield. Saints will also be seeking revenge for their Challenge Cup exit just last month when Catalans’ first half display blew them off the park. A lot will depend on which team turn up for the home side but it’s likely they’ll be keen to get back into the winners’ circle after they were comfortably beaten last week. If they can replicate their Challenge Cup form, Catalans will prove difficult to beat but if there’s still a Wembley hangover, St Helens will take advantage.
