This may be our first "must win" game of the season.
After the debacle of the defeat away at London and the huge improvement against Saints, we really need to be securing our first two points of the season.
Catalan dont usually travel too well, especially in the early part of the season but, I expect they will be pushing for a play off spot so, hopefully, the ideal time to play them.
Cant see there being too many changes from the side defeated by Saints, apart from obvious doubts with Kirmo and Huby, which may put Hirst in the frame.

Although only 3 games in, this one is massive for us, especially if we are wanting to be in the mix for the play offs.

Brough has to keep his discipline in check

Come on Trin

22- 16 to Trin
Mom Brough
Attendance 4360

They're all must win games. There are no games we should be content to lose.

this is a must win if we are thinking about fighting for a play off spot

Always interesting to see what side turn up from Catalan. Play like we did against Saints and I suspect we will come away with the points.

Looking forward to Thursday, I always enjoy a night game. Shame its Catalan at home and not a team who bring a decent crowd - wont look great on the Sky cameras, although they don't show the away terrace.

Given the Jekyll and Hyde nature of both teams, who knows what to expect; Cats don't travel well historically, but we're also prone to stinking the place out - so there's a number of variables to this one. Could be anything from a close fought, entertaining encounter, to a scrappy pub game.

I'm gonna defy the Sky game and make one in - bringing the Mrs in a vain attempt to interest her, so please don't misbehave; and can someone make sure there's some -wipe in the ladies please? Ta.

I wonder if Belle Vue will be full of Catalan fans, taking advantage of the free travel for away fans for Thursday night games. :


Pity it's not the other way round



I hope your missus enjoys it Bren.

Seem to recall last season's meeting with Les Cats produced one or two "incidents". I wonder if they'll manage to keep their heads a little better on Thursday. I must admit I did enjoy it though.

Huby is busted up so there'll be no evening of scores and I don't think Miller will be top of their hit list though he does have "form" in this fixture.
Having said that, they know how to be niggly ******s, its part of their game now.
Brough WILL be pushed over the edge, depends on the ref how that pans out..

19 man squad:

Tinirau Arona
Joe Arundel
Matty Ashurst
James Batchelor
Danny Brough
Jordan Crowther
Anthony England
David Fifita
Ryan Hampshire
Keegan Hirst
Justin Horo
Tom Johnstone
Ben Jones-Bishop
George King
Craig Kopczak
Reece Lyne
Jacob Miller
Bill Tupou
Kyle Wood

The bookies have Trinity as strong favourites for this one 3/10, giving them 6 points on the handicap. Any win will do, dont care if it's golden point or beat them be 20 but, win we must.
With Leeds having found some form, we too have to get our season up and running and hopefully come through unscathed.
3 props down and only 2 weeks into the season

Referee Chris Kendall, touch judges L Moore & Scott Mikalauskas, Video ref Robert Hicks.

Oh dear.

Cant see how the bookies have us down as strong favorites, its looks like two very evenly matched sides. Home advantage may be worth something but the absence of Huby, Randall and Kirkmond does I think make this a no handicap match in my opinion, anybodies game

Agreed, although Catalan are usually dire away from home which is probably what they are going with.

They did ok away from home at Wembley.

I'll be keeping an eye on the head-tests. Cas fans complained that their forwards went down for concussion assessments at 25 mins in with the replacement subs stripped and ready to go on before they hit the deck. They had their 15 minutes, then half-time, and were okay following the assessments, apparently. 8 interchanges became 10.

Other than that, we need a win to get going. I seem to remember we were similarly low on results early on last year, or was is the year before, so I try not to read too much into it. Sides frequently start well and then fade away too.

More worried with hooking role ,or lack of it. Let us down big time against St.The player with the best sidestep and one of the fastest off the mark is been piayed at fullback. He is wasted there, should be playing hooker. If it is left as it is,it is going to be along season as forwards do not look fit and edge of defence looks very bad.Glad Jowitt not playing as he would be getting slated for it

Could do with woody coming off the bench for this one ,playing against a pack with some of the steam taken out of them first, seems a lot more affective in that role.
Just got to sort the defence out wide then and we’re good to go .

Well while Randall is out I would put Hampshire at hooker and dare I say it Jowitt at FB, or another way is BJB at FB, Tupou on wing and Arundel at centre.
It won't happen, but Woody IMO is better coming off the bench.

Although you are right about Wood being better off the bench, I'm not sure that Hampshire would cope with the defensive responsibilities of playing 9, especially as starting hooker.
Like Wood, he would be far better taking advantage of a tiring defence. Therefore, IF he ends up playing 9 for half of the game, he should be the one used off the bench.

You could go with Jordan Crowther at hooker to start with, he'll certainly tackle .

Both Ashurst and Horo comfortable at hooker and probably 2 of the best defenders every time they step on the field.

In some ways they are the opposite of Hampshire.
Going forward and playing in the dummy half role, Hampshire (or Wood) is a far better option but, it's no good having that if our pack is beaten.
So, do you sacrifice a bit of quick distribution in the opening 20 mins to keep Wood fresh or, lose something in defence to have quicker distribution for the full 80 mins.

Arona needs to hang his head in shame. Brain dead move, could have cost that game. Brough on the other hand, rolling back the years to put in a Stella performance on his 500th SL game. Masterclass.

Agree and Miller should back himself as he should score. The threat title should say Catalan Grubs. Thought there were 13 Greg birds on the park for them tonigh and Kendall did chuff all.