Round 26 of the Betfred Super League sees Leeds Rhinos travel to the south of France on Saturday to take on Catalans Dragons, kick off 5pm UK time.

Preview our opponents below:

2023 so far...

The battle at the top of the Betfred Super League table continues as the Dragons look to fend off competition from Wigan Warriors and St Helens to win their second League Leaders' Shield in three years. Currently sat second behind the Warriors on points difference, all that Steve McNamara's side can do is continue to win games, score plenty of points and hope that one of their rivals slips up under pressure.

Even after ten player departures at the start of the season, Steve McNamara's streamlined side have been tough to stop at points in 2023. Opening the new campaign by outscoring Wakefield 38-24, recruit Tom Johnstone opened his try-scoring tally with a hat trick and has moved himself towards the top of the competition's try scoring charts with 25 tries. Off the back of an opening day win, the Dragons added results against Leigh, Hull FC, Wigan and Hull KR before Leeds broke their early season form with a 32-22 result in front of the Channel 4 cameras.

Losses to Warrington at home, as well as Huddersfield and Salford on the road, saw Catalans have their small mid-season drop in form, but since Round 11 they have been in red hot form. Wins over St Helens, Castleford and Wakefield, as well as a high scoring 46-22 win over Wigan at Magic Weekend, moved the Dragons back to the top of the pile as part of a run of ten games saw them lose only once. 

Recent results have seen Wigan and Hull KR pick up points, but with the Rhinos and Red Devils remaining before the Play Offs commence, McNamara will want to have some silverware locked up before the final run for Old Trafford.

Recent results and fixtures

Round 27 - Vs Salford Red Devils (AJ Bell, KO 8pm)

Round 26 - Vs Leeds Rhinos (Stade Gilbert Brutus, KO 5pm* UK Time)

Round 25 - Won 18-10 vs Wakefield Trinity (Be Well Support Stadium)

Round 24 - Lost 26-18 vs Hull KR (Sewell Group Craven Park)

Round 23 - Lost 34-0 vs Wigan Warriors (Stade Gilbert Brutus)

Latest Super League match

Although the score line looked closer, the Dragons' 18-10 win over Wakefield was all but secure after the French side led 18-0 with ten minutes to go. Tom Davies, Tom Johnstone and Adam Keighran got the tries for Catalans, whilst Lee Kershaw and Kelepi Tanginoa responded for Trinity.

Tale of the tape

Individual stats

Tries: Tom Johnstone (25 tries)

Goals: Adam Keighran (59 goals)

Tackles: Ben Garcia (805 tackles)

Carries: Tom Davies (363 carries)

Offloads: Julian Busquet (34 offloads)

Dummy half runs: Michael McIlorum (53 runs)

Team stats from Round 25 vs Wakefield

3 tries

172 carries

1167 gained metres

47% possession

68% set completion rate (26 from 38 sets)

3 line breaks

355 tackles

12 errors

*All stats supplied by OPTA

More information

Tickets for our away Betfred Super League game against Catalans Dragons will be available to purchase online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk, over the phone on 0371 423 1315 and from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop (Opening Hours)

TICKET PRICING 

*Please be aware if purchasing concession or junior tickets, Catalans have stated that proof of eligibility may be asked for on matchday so please ensure you take a copy if required. 

Tickets will be available to purchase until 3pm on Tuesday 12th September (subject to availability and subject to change).