Dragons v Crusaders: Teams
Kevin Walters' Dragons will be looking to supplement last week's shock victory at St Helens when they take on Crusaders.
Last Updated: 18/07/10 10:55am
Kevin Walters' Dragons will be looking to supplement last week's shock victory at St Helens when they take on Crusaders in Saturday's sole Super League game.
Les Catalans stunned Saints following back-to-back defeats to Wigan and Hull and another two points will put further pressure on fellow strugglers Salford and Harlequins at the foot of the table.
Walters is without Andrew Bentley, who broke his jaw in training this week, and William Barthau so Frederic Vaccari and Kane Bentley come into the initial squad.
"Nobody likes to finish last and we'll be doing our best to climb the ladder," said Walters.
"It won't be easy but, if we can win this weekend, it will be another step in the right direction."
Dragons are also without suspended duo Dimitri Pelo and Setaimata Sa, who are sidelined until further notice after breaching team discipline.
"I would have liked to have them available but, if they step outside the
boundaries, they have to be accountable for their actions," said Walters.
Crusaders head coach Brian Noble has recalled Jason Chan to his 19-man after the Papua New Guinean missed the last two games with a shoulder injury.
The return of the second-rower is a boost to the side that must do without Ryan O'Hara and Gareth Thomas, who are out for at least a fortnight with back and groin injuries respectively.
Rhys Hanbury and Jarrod Sammut are expected to continue in the half-backs, with Peter Lupton taking the loose-forward position.
Prop Jamie Thackray believes the play-offs are still within the Crusaders' sights although victory on Saturday is a must.
"There are seven games left and we've played all the top teams now and we've beaten a few of them," he said. "If we get the little things right we can beat anyone on our day.
"We've shown that already but as I've said we've got to tidy a few bits and bobs up and take it each game as it comes.
"We've never talked about it but we want to win them all. If we can get four or five wins that would great for us. If we look at who we've got left they are all winnable games and a few of those teams are also scrapping around for the top eight as well so it's going to be interesting.
"I think the play-offs is definitely a realistic target for us, we've got a game in hand as well which could make the difference come the end of the season. It's about whoever wants it the most now."
Catalans Dragons squad: Greenshields, Bell, Raguin, Bosc, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson, Gossard, Carlaw, K Bentley, Fakir, Casty, Gigot, Stacul, Simon, Vaccari, Sherwin.
Crusaders squad: Youngquest, Martin, Mellars, Sammut, Withers, Bryant, Hauraki, Chan, Trimarchi, Dyer, Lee, Winterstein, Peek, Thakray, James, Lupton, Schifcofske, Hanbury, Dudson.