Dragons v Tigers: Teams
Catalans Dragons have given Saturday's clash against Castleford Tigers the green light following a successful snow-clearing operation.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 11/03/10 3:56pm
Catalans Dragons have given Saturday's engage Super League clash against Castleford Tigers the green light following a successful snow-clearing operation.
The fixture was under threat after 40cm of snow fell in Perpignan earlier this week, but a group of 100 volunteers helped the players and groundstaff to clear the pitch.
"We had 40 more volunteers this morning and we have completely cleared the snow from the field," said Catalans spokesman Yannic Rey.
"It is now sunny and the field is perfect. There is no problem which is a big relief.
"It is important for us to play a home game because four of our first five matches have been away."
Dragons coach Kevin Walters has made two changes to the 19-man squad that secured the French side's first win of the season against Salford last week.
Utility Sebastien Martins and winger Cyril Stacul have been named in the line-up in place of Dimitri Pelo and Adam Mogg, who are unavailable due to injury.
Debut
New loan signing Mike Cooper is in line to make his Castleford debut after being named in the squad to travel to Perpignan.
Stand-off Joe Westerman also returns for the Stade Gilbert Brutus clash after being ruled out of last week's game against Hull FC with a knee injury.
Tigers' other loan signing Shaun Ainscough has been included in the squad as a replacement for prop Paul Jackson, who suffered a groin injury in the early stages of the Humberside encounter.
Fledgling forwards John Davies and Nathan Massey, who made his season debut last week, also feature in the line-up, which is still without long term casualties Richard Owen, Brett Ferres and Dean Widders.
Catalans Dragons squad: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Sa, Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson, Gossard, Carlaw, Bentley, Martins, Fakir, Walker, Casty, Gigot, Stacul.
Castleford squad: Dixon, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Snitch, Westerman, Jones, Higgins, Clayton, Massey, Davies, McGoldrick, Ainscough, Cooper.