Dragons Open their 2016 Account with Rhinos Win It was a winless, bottom of the table, Rhinos side who went to the south of France to take on a Catalans Dragons where were also pointless at the start of Super League 2016, and were just one place ahead of them in the early season table by virtue of a better points difference. A win for either side Could lift them to eighth.. Catalans Dragons gave debuts to close season signings Jodie Broughton, and the thirty-five year old Willie Mason. Both sides were desperate to get their seasons underway but neither had shown the 2016 skill or determination which was so prevalent last season. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Dragons Open their 2016 Account with Rhinos Win It was a winless, bottom of the table, Rhinos side who went to the south of France to take on a Catalans Dragons where were also pointless at the start of Super League 2016, and were just one place ahead of them in the early season table by virtue of a better points difference. A win for either side Could lift them to eighth.. Catalans Dragons gave debuts to close season signings Jodie Broughton, and the thirty-five year old Willie Mason. Both sides were desperate to get their seasons underway but neither had shown the 2016 skill or determination which was so prevalent last season. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Good win for the Catalans in appalling conditions. The Catalans are a dry weather team, so to win in the rain was a bonus for them. The rain prevented Richard Myler and Todd Carney from weaving their magic. Leeds tried hard but just weren't good enough. Kallum Watkins showed that he is a quality player who deserves an England centre position alongside Jumping Jack Reed.

I look forward to more barnstorming performances from Catalans prop David Taylor, who might have been Man of the Match -- although Frenchman Eloi Pelissier was also a contender for that award. If the Coal Train can keep up this level of play throughout the year, he should be in the running for Man of Steel. The same can be said for M. Pelissier.

It only pi55ed it down after Leeds started to comeback and take control of the game. It anything, it saved the Catalans.

Leeds never had control of the game. They were never in front at any stage.

David Taylor and William Mason are a formidable alternating pair of props. Once William Mason gets into proper physical fitness, then the Catalans will start racking up wins in the dry weather.

It doesn't get much easier for Leeds. Next four games:

Huddersfield (H)
Wigan (A)
Saints (H)
Castleford (A)

By late summer Leeds could end up in the middle 8 with St Helens.

Catalans were missing Remy Casty, Louis Anderson and Paul Aiton. However Pelissier was so good that you hardly noticed that Aiton was missing. On the other hand future rotation of Aiton and Pelissier is going to give Catalans great attacking options, as will the attainment of full fitness by William Mason in a few weeks (one hopes).

Olivier Elima's days as first choice prop seem to be numbered with Taylor, Mason, Anderson, Bousquet, and Casty fit and in the mix.

Catalans seem to be well served by Mark Horo, Glenn Stewart, Gregory Mounis and Jason Baitieri in the back rows, though David Taylor could be used in the second row if one of those gets injured.

Overall the Catalans have a very good pack of forwards, with considerable depth, and the team also possesses some exciting backs. As the weeks roll on you will see a team with so many new signings start to gel, and pose a challenge to the top 4.

Saint Helens.

As a side noye, does anyone know TF was going on with the VR for the first Catalans try?

transition season, half a team out injured, played a big game sunday while catalan had a fortnight off.
apart ferom widnes, where we were appallind, I've been pretty happy with the performances. going through a period, as other clubs have had, where every decision or bounce of the ball has cost us.
far as i'm concerned its a free season for leeds. what happens happens, just give quality kids like lilley and Sutcliffe plenty of game time.
I've no doubt we'll be top 8 but whereabouts is anyones guess

Well the French have always said they have God on their side.

Really good second half, Watkins played up to his star billing & for Catalans I thought Pelissier had a stormer.

Pelissier was worthy of MoM.

My player points for Man of Steel:

3. Eloi Pelissier
2. David Taylor
1. Kallum Watkins

jean , if you were happy with that performance then god help you. Catalans are bloody awful and if you are relying on Mason well it does not bear thinking about . Leeds will finish above Catalan although where that will be is another story . Leeds are poor at the moment so enjoy your win as i doubt there will be many more .

Catalan are poor at the moment but, if they stop making as many unforced errors and with the pack that they have, they could be a decent team, possibly top 6.
Taylor looks dangerous with ball in hand and whatever you say about Mason, even in his current unfit state, he made plenty of metres when he carried the ball

I've watched both of Catalans last two games, and both were woeful performances. The only difference being the opposition.

A fully fit FC side stormed past them whereas a demoralised Leeds team couldn't quite do it. Both Leeds and Cats need to improve asap to challenge top 6.

they'll win the 2 home games

I agree that Catalans Dragons have been poor in the first three rounds. But remember that there has been a huge turnover of players since last year and it takes time for the new players to gel. There is a lot of talent in the Catalans team and their performances can only improve over time. I expect them to move from their current 8th to 6th or higher as the season rolls on.

The difference is Leeds have a lot of players to come back whereas Catalan are basically full strength, plus have somehow managed to splash ("waste"icon_wink.gif money on Mason.

Leeds will be top 4, Catalan might just scrape the 8.

Despite all the money and effort that has been spent in the close-season, if I were a Catalans fan I would be much happier to have last years squad (remaining injury-free) than to have the new lot. They will need time to gel. I suppose the same could be said for Leeds who have all the injuries as well.

Catalans won't look a proper side until they change their coach.

I agree with that. To see some of the comments about us on Twitter after the game you would have thought we had mugged Leeds.

Lots of turnover of players will mean we will have a slow start. Just have to grab enough wins to stay in touch and let the performances improve.

You mean his son Justin.

HTH

Credit to Leeds for not giving up. Catalans have got to sort themselves out, hopefully just a question of new players gelling. Elois was magnifique and boy did it pi55 down!

As for Mason surely they must have some big French boys! Why let Springer goo and bring him in!

who cares ? Catalans should be in the French league....

Thing is, how much have you heard springer's name since he left? i think i've seen him twice on sky.