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Super League: Wigan coach Shaun Wane knows Catalan Dragons will be tough opponents

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Wigan Warriors regained third place in the Super League after an impressive 58-6 win over London which pleased coach Shaun Wane.

Wigan head coach Shaun Wane knows the Warriors will need to be at their very best if they are to claim the points against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday.

The reigning champions ended a run of back-to-back defeats with victory over London Broncos last time out, although Catalan are imposing on home soil having won seven straight in front of their own fans in Super League.

The summer heat in the south of France will also be a factor for Wigan to contend with and Wane knows opposite number Laurent Frayssinous will have his Dragons well drilled.

It’s a tough place to go. They have a really talented team. They are well coached. It’s going to be 20-odd degrees as well so you’ve got that to deal with.
Wane on Dragons

“It’s tough conditions. We played there last year (a 22-8 loss) and it was the longest game I’ve ever coached. The referee allowed water breaks. You get what you get in France,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s a tough place to go. They have a really talented team. They are well coached. It’s going to be 20-odd degrees as well so you’ve got that to deal with.

“We’re playing at 9 o’clock at night which is a bit later than normal so it’s keeping the players focused all day. If we attack like we did against London then we’ll score tries.

“You really need to defend tough against Catalan because they’ve got some big hard-running forwards. You need to challenge them. If we do that we’ve got a good chance of getting the two points.”

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Josh Charley helped himself to a hat-trick of tries against the Broncos, taking his tally for the season to 12, and the England international is now looking back to his very best.

“He’s played really well. He’s trained well since he’s been back from injury,” he continued.

“When you consider he’s been out for eight weeks and he’s just behind the top try-scorers in the competition. It shows you what a quality player he is.

“The players inside him are giving him some quality ball as well. Josh is a great finisher.”

Wane has also heaped praise on 2014 recruit Matt Bowen, who has impressed at full-back having previously spent his entire career with the North Queensland Cowboys.

“He’s brings a lot, Matty Bowen. He’s a great individual off the field. It’s not just what he does in games.

“He acquits himself really well in training. He speaks a lot in video meetings. He’s just a really good professional. I’m really glad we got him. He brings a lot to our youngsters.”

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