Dragons v Rovers: Teams
Catalans Dragons host Hull KR on Saturday looking to win to keep up with the pace at the head of the Stobart Super League.
Last Updated: 16/03/12 4:25pm
Catalans Dragons host Hull KR on Saturday looking to win to keep up with the pace at the head of the Stobart Super League.
Trent Robinson's side currently sit in fifth in the table, just two points off leaders Huddersfield Giants - with a game in hand - after four wins and one loss from their opening five clashes.
Hull KR go into the game on the back of a 36-24 home defeat to Bradford Bulls which leaves them tenth in the table, with just five points from their opening six games.
Head coach Craig Sandercock is expecting a tough task against opponents who are widely regarded as one of the most physical sides in Super League and in Scott Dureau have arguably one of the form half-backs.
"They have a massive forward pack and it's hard to believe how big they are," Sandercock said.
"We need to accommodate that otherwise they'll run riot on us.
"Scott Dureau is also on fire at the moment and he's raised his game to another level since he's been here.
"It's a credit to the kid that he's playing so well and we need to control his kicking game and running game.
"They've also got Leon Pryce in there who is a very good player as well and they don't seem to have any real weaknesses.
"They're strong right across the paddock and even have four good players coming off the bench so it's going to be a tough game."
Team news
Eloi Pelissier is set to make his first Super League game of the season after recovering from a broken jaw.
He has come in for Julian Bousquet in the only change to the Catalans' 19 man squad which beat Salford 40-18 last weekend.
Catalans are still without Steve Menzies, Clint Greenshields, Ian Henderson, Louis Anderson, Cyril Stacul and Frédéric Vaccari, who are all recovering from injuries, while Setaimata Sa will also miss the game after picking up a two-match ban.
The Robins will be without Jake Webster on Saturday due to a hip injury but centre partner Kris Welham is expected to shake off a mild calf strain in time for the game.
Prop Liam Watts is the other change from the defeat to the Bulls, with Sandercock recalling hooker Keal Carlile, while teenage centre Liam Salter could be handed his debut.
Catalans Dragons squad: Blanch, Pryce, Bosc, Dureau, Ferriol, Casty, Mounis, Raguin, Baile, Pelissier, Gossard, Millard, Simon, Fakir, Paea, Baitieri, Duport, Fisher, Cardace.
Hull KR squad: McDonnell, Hall, Cox, Clinton, Withers, Carlile, Salter, Wheeldon, Taylor, Lovegrove, Hodgson, Paea, Horne, Murrell, Dobson, Netherton, Mika, Welham, Latus.