Talking points: Round 6 vs Catalans

The Dragons are coming to Headingley this Saturday afternoon as Leeds Rhinos host the French side on Saturday afternoon live on Channel 4, kick off 1pm.

Before both teams take to the field, here are three talking points ahead of the game…

Experience vs youth forward battle

The Dragons have four players over 30 years old in their forward pack, led by multiple Super League Grand Final winner Michael McIlorum and back-to-back NRL premier with Sydney Roosters, Siua Taukeiaho.

New recruits Manu Ma'u and Romain Navarrette replaced the outgoing Sam Kasiano and Joe Chan, and both signings have plenty of Super League minutes under their belts; Navarette winning a Grand Final title with Wigan in 2018. The Dragons have youth coming through their ranks too in Tiaki Chan and Léo Laurent.

Leeds' young forward pack has been developing since the club came out of the Covid season in 2020. Jarrod O'Connor and Cam Smith are now regular starters under Smith, plus Sam Walters and Tom Holroyd have started this season in fine form. This is without including Mikolaj Oledzki and Morgan Gannon, who are both still to come into the Rhinos lineup.

Rhinos hoping to turn around home form vs Dragons

As Leeds look to bounce back from last week's defeat to Castleford in the Betfred Super League, a win this weekend would also end the Rhinos' recent losing streak against Catalans at Headingley.

Meetings between the two sides at Headingley in 2020, 2021 and 2022 have all gone Catalans' way, putting the French outfit in a group of three teams in Super League (Catalans, Hull FC and St Helens) to have kept the Rhinos winless at home for the last three years.

Leeds have firepower though, having kept the Dragons winless at home and on the road for ten meetings. Out of the four meetings between the sides last year, Leeds won two of the biggest fixtures with a golden point extra time winner, and also in the Play-Offs on their way to Old Trafford.

McIlorum and Johnstone to reach career milestones

Catalans duo Michael McIlorum and Tom Johnstone are in line to hit milestones in their careers this Saturday against Leeds.

McIlorum can make his 300th Super League appearance, having debuted back in 2007. The hooker has made most of his appearances with Wigan during a ten year spell and accumulated 210 Super League appearances in cherry and white. Going into his sixth season in Perpignan, McIlorum can make his 90th Super League appearance for the Dragons on Saturday.

Serial try scorer Tom Johnstone is closing in on the milestone of 100 career tries. The former Wakefield player scored 87 tries during his time at Trinity and currently is the joint leading try scoring in Super League with eight tries.

Tickets on sale now

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.