While waiting to know the results of Leigh – St-Helens and Hull KR – Leeds (this Friday evening), the Catalans Dragons are preparing for the last match of the regular phase and perhaps of their season, scheduled for Saturday at MKM in Hull. A meeting marked by new changes on the match sheet.
At the Catalans Dragons, it is not difficult to see that the truths of yesterday are neither those of today nor those of tomorrow. After the defeat in Salford (27-12), Steve McNamara changed his hooker (Alrix Da Costa) and his center (Arthur Romano), by Benjamin Garcia and Matthieu Laguerre, but he especially left out of the starting XIII, his two leaders of play (Fages-Rougé). Jordan Abdull and Sam Tomkins had this responsibility against London (12-8 victory) and the least we can say is that it did not work. The cogs remain seized.
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At Hull FC, Steve McNamara will partner Théo Fages with Arthur Mourgue, moving Sam Tomkins to the back. The Englishman, who came out of retirement on July 27, 2024 with the arrival of Hull FC (24-16 victory) played his first three games at the back, before sliding to the bench (Salford) and starting in business (London). This new permutation clearly shows that the management is still looking for the right balance and adjustments at the very end of the season. But on the players’ side, there is no question of squandering the “der” by only thinking about the results of others. “We will continue to move forward from last week and we must make sure we prepare well before this match which will be difficult to play against a team that does not want to finish last. We must continue to move forward, that is my main concern.”explained Tariq Sims, who does not see himself starting his vacation on Saturday evening.
Jordan Abdull, sidelined, Romano, suspended
Jordan Abdull did not train this week. Arthur Romano (suspended), joins Matt Ikuvalu (pectoral muscle) and Tom Johnstone (ankle) on the side of the players who have been ruled out. Even though the latter is on the list of 21, he did not run this week. On the other hand, hooker Micky McIlorum (36 years old), who has not played since July 27 and the victory against Hull FC (24-16) was due to return on Saturday. With only nine matches this Super League season, the future Hull KR player, as much suspended as injured this season, trained normally on Tuesday and Thursday, after his calf injury. But the Englishman is not on the list unveiled. There is therefore uncertainty as to his participation.
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This Thursday, the one-hour collective session was clearly not the last of the season. In any case, players and coaches did everything in this direction, avoiding closing speeches or thanks to the starters. “It’s a week where the players have to be excited about what can happen if they win and we’re prepared to play a big game in Hull.”concludes Steve McNamara. A coach who spent long minutes talking with one of his assistants, Andy Last and with the performance manager, Mathias Pala this Thursday at the end of the morning, before seeing the players start their extras. The unprecedented situation of a team that advances by being mainly dependent on the results of its competitors made the week of preparation special. There is no doubt that Friday evening, once the veil has been lifted on the results of Leigh and Leeds, the Catalans Dragons will finally measure the stakes of this match in Hull, the one towards qualification, or the one to end the season on a better note.
