Opposition Report - Catalans Dragons

Saturday afternoon Rugby League returns to Headingley this Saturday as Leeds Rhinos face the unbeaten Catalans Dragons at Headingley, kick off 1pm.

Preview our opponents below:

2023 so far...

Catalans Dragons are one of the clubs to watch out for in 2023 after an unbeaten start to the season.

Even after ten player departures, Steve McNamara's side looks streamlined and full of potential after five rounds. Manu Ma'u, Tom Johnstone and the returning Romain Navarrete have slotted into the Dragon's regime, even though influential half-back Mitchell Pearce hasn't played a minute yet.

Former Rooster Adam Keighran and homegrown talent Cesar Rouge have filled in so far for the State of Origin player, alongside Tyrone May, whilst Tongan international Siosiua Taukeiaho is just getting going after scoring on his club debut at the start of the month.

Opening the new campaign by outscoring Wakefield 38-24, Johnstone opened his try-scoring tally for the Dragons with a hat trick. Despite a tough duel with Leigh in Perpignan, Catalans were let off the leash by Hull FC in a 38-6 win on home soil as six different players scored tries.

Wigan Warriors were also defeated in cold conditions at the DW; Manu Ma'u grabbed a brace despite spending some of the first half in the sin bin. Last week's clash with Hull KR saw Johnstone grab a hat trick in a 26-12 win, keeping the Dragons in touch with Warrington with five wins in five matches.

Next five fixtures

Round 6 vs Leeds Rhinos (Headingley Stadium, KO 1pm)

Round 7 vs Castleford Tigers (Stade Gilbert Brutus, KO 5pm*)

Round 8 vs Warrington Wolves (Stade Gilbert Brutus, KO 4pm*)

Round 9 vs Huddersfield Giants (John Smith's Stadium, KO 7.45pm)

Round 10 vs Salford Red Devils (Salford Stadium, KO 3pm)

*UK time

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Johnstone led the try-scoring last Saturday as the Dragons downed Hull KR 26-12 at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Along with tries from Tom Davies and Julian Bousquet, McNamara's side won their fifth successive game of the season, while Hull KR slipped to seventh in the league table.

2023 Squad Numbers

1. Arthur Mourgue
2. Tom Davies
3. Adam Keighran
4. Matthieu Laguerre
5. Fouad Yaha
6. Tyrone May
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Mike McMeeken
9. Micky McIlorum
10. Julian Bousquet
11. Matt Whitley
12. Paul Séguier
13. Benjamin Garcia
14. Alrix Da Costa
15. Mickael Goudemand
16. Romain Navarrete

17. César Rougé
18. Tiaki Chan
19. Arthur Romano
22. Siua Taukeiaho
23. Jordan Dezaria
24. Tom Johnstone
25. Bastien Scimone
26. Manu Ma’u
27. Léo Laurent
28. Ugo Tison
29. Sam Tomkins
30. Loan Castano
31. Tanguy Zenon
32. Mike Parenti

Tale of the tape

Tries

Tom Johnstone (8 tries)

Carries

Tom Davies (81 carries)

Tackles

Paul Seguier (170 tackles)

Offloads

Julian Bousquet (9 offloads)

Tackle Breaks

Arthur Mourgue (22 tackle breaks)

Team Stats

• 23 tries
• 6,305 metres made
• 30 offloads
• 173 tackle busts
• 1,512 tackles
• 40 errors

BUY TICKETS

Tickets for our Saturday afternoon clash with the Dragons are available to buy now!

Online: Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk up until 30 minutes before kick off and tickets will be sent to your email address so you can use them on your smartphone at the turnstiles.

Over the Phone: Call our ticket office on 0371 423 1315 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays)

In the Leeds Rhinos Club Shop: at Headingley Stadium (Opening Hours). You can also email your enquiries to tickets@therhinos.co.uk.

On the turnstiles – Fans can purchase tickets which cover entry for the Global East Stand Terrace and Western Terrace via the Kirkstall Lane and St Michael’s Lane turnstiles on match day using contactless payment with either a credit or debit card or payment using a smartphone.
Fans wishing to go in the South Stand will need to buy their tickets in advance of the game or from the ticket office on the day of the game.
Cash is no longer accepted as payment on the turnstiles. Turnstiles on match day open three hours before kick off.

All ticket prices increase by £3 on matchday and all promotions finish from midnight the day before a match day so we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.