Hull KR v Catalans Dragons: Super League preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 07/04/16 10:52pm
James Webster is urging his resurgent Hull KR side to burst Catalans' bubble when they visit the KC Lightstream Stadium on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports 3 HD.
The Dragons have climbed to fourth in the table on the back of a four-match winning run and, having shed their apparent fallibility on the road, will be aiming for a fourth successive away win.
The Catalans' best winning sequence in Super League was seven in 2008, when they also went on an eight-match unbeaten run which included three successive away triumphs followed by victory at Millennium Magic.
The Robins, too, are on the up following the arrival of Webster, who enjoyed a win over Salford in his first home game and followed up agonising defeats over the Easter weekend with an impressive victory over Leeds at Headingley.
"I think we'd seen signs of improvement in each game over the last month but the big question was whether we could do it over 80 minutes and we did that," said Webster.
"But we still need to improve to be a consistent team."
Webster, France's assistant coach who is keen to remain involved with Les Tricolores at the end of the year, is acutely aware of the danger caused by the Dragons, whose most recent recruit, Willie Mason, had a six-match stint at Hull KR in 2011.
"He's a quality player," said Webster. "He's got heaps of experience and he's a big thing with power and a big offload, who understands what's needed to get the job done.
"He's just added to what was already a good side. He is just one of many we need to take care of.
"They've shown all year they're a big, strong, powerful side who can travel away from home now, probably due to the hundreds of Australians they have in their side who are not worried about travelling.
"There's not a position in their squad you don't worry about. We need to be able to match their power. We need to play well to win."
Hull KR's former Wigan forward James Greenwood admits it is important for his side to build on their rare victory at Headingley.
"Everybody says Leeds are struggling but it's always a tough place to go so to get such a convincing win was a massive confidence booster for us," he said.
"We're just hoping we can progress from that and kick on.
"A lot of people wrote us off at the start of the season and I think we've finally realised what potential we have in the camp.
"Catalans have had a few wins under their belt so they're going to be full of confidence.
"They've one of the biggest packs in Super League so this is another big test for us, especially our middles."
Hull KR are without skipper Terry Campese after he was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. John Boudebza and Thomas Minn are recalled to Webster's 19-man squad with Jor Wardill dropping out.
Catalans also make two changes to their squad, Krisnan Inu and Stan Robin replacing injured duo Todd Carney and Paul Aiton.
Hull KR: Mitch Allgood, Maurice Blair, John Boudebza, Chris Clarkson, Ben Cockayne, Kieran Dixon, James Green, James Greenwood, Graeme Horne, George Lawler, Shaun Lunt, Matty Marsh, Thomas Minns, Kieran Moran, Robbie Mulhern, Ken Sio, Iain Thornley, Dane Tilse, Adam Walker.
Catalans Dragons: Louis Anderson, Jason Baitieri, Thomas Bosc, Julian Bousquet, Jodie Broughton, Dave Taylor, Vincent Duport, Olivier Elima, Morgan Escaré, Tony Gigot, Krisnan Inu, Antoni Maria, Willie Mason, Greg Mounis, Richie Myler, Eloi Pelissier, Pat Richards, Stan Robin, Glenn Stewart.
Watch Hull KR v Catalans live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.