Match preview – Catalans vs Wigan

We look at what is being said as the tall Catalan Dragons host the only remaining undefeated Super League team in the Wigan Warriors on Saturday …

McNamara’s recruitment plans are bearing fruit

The Catalans come into Saturday’s game at the end of their best Super League season ever with six wins in seven games, including becoming the first team to defeat St Helens in 2021 last weekend.

That win put the Dragons in the top spot and they face another test of credibility when they take over the only team not yet defeated in the Super League this year in the form of Wigan Warriors leader.

It’s another sign of the team’s progress under Steve McNamara, and off-season recruits like Gil Dudson, Mike McMeeken and Dean Whare are all making a big contribution along with the French youth starting to get through the system.

Speaking of the latest episode Training manual, the man who led the Catalans to their first big trophy when they lifted the Challenge Cup in 2018 explained that anyone who wants to move to the south of France didn’t come here just to make things easier.

“It may have been a reality in the past, but one of the things I did when I came here … I promised that our recruitment would be based on people wanting to come to Catalans to win the games and be the best they can be. “McNamara said Sky Sports.

“The other parts of this side are if you behave well, train well and you do well, it’s all nice on our side. That’s not who we are and what we are now.

It’s been a while and I’m aware that it hasn’t changed the perception of some people, but attracting players here is: Do you want to be one of the first players to ever win a competition for the Catalans Dragons?

“We’re 15 years old, we’ve won one trophy, we’re trying to make the next one, so if you want to be here, you have to be here for the right reasons.”

English defenders go head to head

A tendon tendon injury that will knock Bevan French out for a few months means that Zak Hardaker will return to fullback when Wigan head to Perpignan for Saturday night’s Super League clash.

The 29-year-old started the season in a position where he made a name for himself while French was unavailable, performing a series of impressive performances, and could also find himself against another former No. 1 Wigan at Sam Tomkins.

Although he retired late from last week’s 20-16 win over St Helens after suffering a warm-up injury, Tomkins was due to return for Dragons and Warriors head coach Adrian Lam, expecting a fascinating contest between the two players battling for a place on the English team Shauna Wanea.

“We prepared for Sam’s game,” Lam said. “Zak wants to return to the position of defender since the Hull game, I guess to correct what was wrong there, so I’m sure he will play well for us this weekend.

“He wasn’t happy with his last performance. He’s trying a little harder to get going.”

Wigan enters the match thanks to a close 17-16 win against the Salford Red Devils last weekend and will face several players who know the club well, including Dudson, Tomkins and his brother Joel, Micky McIlorum and Tom Davies.

Lam has no doubt that several former Wigan players on the Dragons’ side pose an additional danger to his team, but he hopes the Warriors can channel the spirit of victory Sept. 28-12 at Gilbert Brutus Stadium.

“They’ve been hiring really well in the preseason, and they also have a lot of former Wigan players who know we play probably more than anyone,” Lam said.

“It was a really tough time for us when we went there last year and won a special opportunity that turned the season around for us. We see that as another opportunity for that.”

Team news

In addition to Tomkins being available, and last week’s late withdrawal, Sam Cassiano is back in competition for the Catalans as well. However, McNamara called youngsters Corentin Le Cam and Cesar Rouge in the absence of injured couples Fouad Yah and Alrix Da Costa.

Wigan boss Lam welcomes captain Thomas Leuluai from a five-match absence with a sternum injury. Center or second rower Willis Isa is also expected after the win over Salford.

Appointed detachments

Catalan dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, James Maloney, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Micky McIlorum, Julian Bousquet, Mike McMeeken, Benjamin Garcia, Benjamin Jullien, Mickael Goudemand, Matthieu Laguerre, Corentin Le Jont Drinkwater Chan, Sam Cassiano, Jordan Dezaria, Ceser Rouge.

Wigan Warriors: Dom Manfredi, Zak Hardaker, Tommy Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Joe Bullock, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Oliver Partington, Morgan Smithies, Liam Byrne, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Jake Bibby, Mitch Clark, Joe Shorrocks , Kai Pearce-Paul, Sam Halsall, Umyla Hanley, Jackson Hastings.