Dragons v Tigers: Teams
Greg Bird is set to make his highly-anticipated Super League debut for Catalans on Saturday.
Last Updated: 06/03/09 2:26pm
Greg Bird is set to make his highly-anticipated Super League debut for Catalans Dragons on Saturday.
The French side seized on an opportunity to sign the Australian international after he was denied a UK visa to join Bradford earlier this year because of a court case hanging over his head.
While the former Cronulla Sharks stand-off has courted controversy in recent months, there has never been any doubting his ability and he represents a direct replacement for seriously injured France star Sebastien Raguin.
Coach Kevin Walters is also without Dane Carlaw until April due to a knee injury although Jamal Fakir returns to the squad after serving his suspension.
Back row forward Fakir was banned for a high tackle during the stunning 40-20 victory at Warrington in round two.
But that win was flanked by defeats to the Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC last time out, though, and they will be eager to get back on track with Bird in their arsenal at Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Consistency
Castleford come into the game on a high following consecutive victories against Wigan Warriors and Salford City Reds.
Coach Terry Matterson is still without injured trio Liam Higgins (knee), Ryan Clayton (shoulder) and Ryan Boyle (ankle) and he has named an unchanged 19-man squad accordingly.
Richard Owen, Michael Shenton, Craig Huby, Ryan Hudson, Joe Westerman, Kirk Netherton, Ryan McGoldrick and Dean Widders all got on the scoresheet in the 52-16 mauling of the Reds last time out and Matterson will want more of the same in Perpignan.
The Tigers currently sit joint third in the early Super League XIV standings and can pull four points clear of the Dragons with a victory.
Catalans squad: Baile, Bell, Bosc, Bird, Casty, Croker, Elima, Fakir, Ferriol, Gossard, Greenshields, Guisset, McGuire, Mogg, Mounis, Pelo, Perry, Stacul, Touxagas.
Castleford squad: Owen, Dixon, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Westerman, Jones, Feather, Massey, Netherton, Faumuina, McGoldrick, Widders.