2021 Super League – Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR taking place? Saturday 27th March, 2021 – 17:15 (UK)
Where is Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR taking place? Emerald Headingley Stadium
Where can I get tickets for Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR? Click here for the official Super League ticket section
What channel is Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR on? Sky Sports Arena
Where can I stream Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via the Sky Go app
THE TEAM NEWS
CATALANS DRAGONS
- Catalans Dragons ended last season in acrimonious circumstances as poor discipline in the play-offs saw them ultimately crash out in embarrassing fashion with St. Helens recording a 48-2 success in a one-sided semi-final.
- Michael McIlorum and Joel Tomkins will be missing for the early part of this season because of their indiscretions in the play-offs while Israel Folau is nowhere to be seen with rumours continuing to circle that he wants to head back to the NRL.
21-man squad: Baitieri, Belmas, Bousquet, Chan, Da Costa, Davies, Drinkwater, Dudson, Garcia, Goudemand, Jullien, Kasiano, Laguerre, Maloney, McMeeken, Mourgue, Seguier, S. Tomkins, Whare, Whitley, Yaha
Unavailable: Israel Folau, Michael McIlorum, Samisoni Langi, Joel Tomkins, Arthur Romano
Questionable:
HULL KR
- Hull KR collected the wooden spoon in 2020 as they finished bottom of the pile with just three wins to their name in 17 matches and they will need to make big improvements if they are to climb up the table this time around.
- Rovers were very active in the player market, bringing in Albert Vete, Korbin Sims, Ryan Hall and Brad Takairangi from the NRL but the latter is a doubt to make his debut here because of muscle soreness.
21-man squad: Abdull, Crooks, Hadley, Hall, Johnson, Kenny-Dowall, King, Lawler, Lewis, Linnett, Litten, Milnes, Minchella, Minikin, Parcell, Quinlan, Ryan, Sims, Storton, Takairangi, Vete
Unavailable: Will Maher, Muizz Mustapha
Questionable: Brad Takairangi
THE PREDICTION
Catalans Dragons looked capable of going all the way in 2020 but their lack of consistency and indiscipline cost them. It was an awfully disruptive campaign last year but more so for the French outfit with COVID restrictions not helping their cause. They have lost a lot of experience from their squad and it looks weaker this time around as a result but they still have plenty of talent in their best 17. Hull KR on the other hand managed just three wins last year as they finished with the wooden spoon and they will hope their new signings can give them the boost they require to avoid the drop in 2021. Both teams look capable of scoring points but it is their defensive efforts that will be under the greatest scrutiny this season and while neither team will be hitting top form in Round 1, there should be enough quality between the two to make this an interesting contest that produces at least 40 points.
