Super League match preview: Catalan Dragons v Castleford Tigers
The Dragons will be keen to get their Super League campaign back on track when the Castleford Tigers visit France.
Last Updated: 18/05/13 2:35pm
The Dragons made a positive start to the season but have struggled of late in league action, although they did boost confidence last time out with a 92-8 mauling of the York City Knights in Challenge Cup action.
Castleford had the weekend off after losing in the fourth round to the Leeds Rhinos and they will have a new coach in the dugout in Perpignan following the appointment of Daryl Powell from Featherstone Rovers.
Forward Grant Millington features in the Tigers' 19-man squad for the first time since suffering an injury in the Good Friday match against Wakefield Wildcats at the end of March.
The Australian replaces Weller Hauraki who is out with shoulder injury while Charlie Martin comes into the squad in place of the on-loan Tyrone McCarthy.
It has been a hectic week for Powell and the former Leeds Rhinos man admits he has yet to speak to all of his squad ahead of Saturday's tricky-looking clash against the Dragons.
Talks
"I've not been able to speak to everybody yet with the week being so hectic, but I have spoken to quite a few of the senior players and I need to continue on with that process," he told the Castleford and Pontefract Express.
"This week's trip to France will give me a chance to do that so from that perspective it's ideal.
"I just need to get round everybody and really it's finding out about them as people as much as it is as players because you've got plenty of evidence of what they can do on the pitch."
The Dragons, who drew 17-all at Castleford earlier in the season, are undefeated in their last four meetings with the Tigers - having won three and drawn one.
There is only one change to Laurent Frayssinous' Dragons squad with veteran Australian Steve Menzies replaced William Barthau. Scott Dureau is closing in on a comeback but will play no part this weekend.
Catalan Dragons: Blanch, Pryce, Taia, Bosc, Henderson, Casty, Menzies, Anderson, Mounis, Maria, Pelissier, Larroyer, Millard, Pala, Simon, Fakir, Duport, Baile, Escare.
Castleford Tigers: Owen, Carney, Shenton, Dixon, Chase, Ellis, Walker, Clark, Huby, Gilmour, Millington, Milner, Massey, Holmes, Thompson, Tansey, Martin, Mason, Boyle.