Saturday 20 September 2014 07:43, UK
Out-of-form Leeds Rhinos will be looking to keep their Super League season alive against resurgent Catalan Dragons at Headingley on Saturday evening.
The Rhinos did claim the Tetley’s Challenge Cup last month, although they enter the game against Laurent Frayssinous’ club having lost five straight in Super League.
The Dragons have won three on the bounce since losing to Salford Red Devils, however, the Perpignan club have never beaten Leeds at Headingley.
The French side nearly ended that duck this season only for Liam Sutcliffe’s late penalty to send them to a heart-breaking 32-31 defeat in Round 18 in July.
Leeds have centre Joel Moon back from a two-match ban in the only change to the side that lost at Hull FC last Friday.
“We’re expecting a tough game and if you look at the way they’ve finished the season they are one of the in-form teams,” said Carl Ablett. “They’ve got a bit of momentum behind them now and whenever we play them it’s always a real battle!
“Three of their players are in the top 10 try-scorers in Super League at the moment. This year we have been proud of the way we have defended and have the best record in the league to show so we’ll be looking to keep these guys quiet.
“It’s difficult in our game to focus on one guy such as Morgan Escare. He’s quick, elusive and can pop up anywhere so we’ll have to make sure we have a solid defensive line when we kick downfield to him.”
Catalan coach Frayssinous recalls loose forward Gregory Mounis in the only change to the team that beat Castleford in last Saturday’s regular season finale.
“We’ll take a lot of confidence out of beating Castleford and carry this over to Headingley for Saturday,” said Elliott Whitehead. “They’re a quality side and have got some really experienced players in their squad. It’s a big game for both of us but I reckon we can get the job done.”
“We’ll be keeping an eye on their back five to stop them going forward and Jamie Peacock just doesn’t know when to stop. It’s going to be a tough day at the office but we’re capable of handling this.
“Our away form is something that the media like to bring up. Travelling is part of the job. We can’t use it as an excuse. Other teams have to visit us so it’s something we just get used to.”
Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield (c), Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton
Catalan Dragons: Escare, Pomeroy, Oldfield, Bosc, Elima, Henderson, Lima, Taia, Anderson, Mounis, Maria, Pelissier, Whitehead, Millard, Bousquet, Baitieri, Duport, Garcia, Williams
