Match preview: Catalans Dragons

[Warriors News]

Everything you need to know for Saturday’s historic Betfred Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons.

The Brief

Wigan Warriors will make Betfred Super League history on Saturday when they face Catalans Dragons (5pm kick off UK time) and become the first team to make the trip to Perpignan, France since the restart.

The Round 12 clash at the Stade Gilbert Brutus will hold further significance, being the first Super League game since the start of lockdown to see the return of fans to stadia, with up to 5,000 supporters expected to be inside.

Wigan’s preparation for the fixture was disrupted this week, following a positive Covid-19 test amongst the squad, but after a second round of testing on Monday, the team was cleared to travel France.

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan, France.

After the Super League table was altered by the RFL this week, with it now being decided on points percentage as opposed to points gained, Adrian Lam’s Warriors head into the game sitting in 4th spot.

Contrastingly, Steve McNamara’s Dragons are one place above Wigan with three wins from their first four since the restart.

Team News

There are four changes to the 21 that faced Hull KR last week as Sean O’Loughlin, Ethan Havard, Joe Bullock and George Burgess come in for Ben Flower, Liam Byrne, Amir Bourouh and Chris Hankinson.

Round 12 𝙇𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜… #WWRL pic.twitter.com/pXRooFApX5

— Wigan Warriors (@WiganWarriorsRL) September 10, 2020

Welshman Flower serves the first of a two-match ban received for a Grade B ‘Dangerous Contact’ against Hull KR. Learn more HERE.

Young second-row Morgan Smithies serves the second game of a six-match ban received for two separate incidents during Wigan’s win over Castleford two weeks ago. Learn more HERE.

Injury news

Winger Liam Marshall continues his long-term recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury sustained during the Round 10 tie with Castleford.

Prop Tony Clubb remains sidelined with a long-term neck injury.

Half-back Jake Shorrocks continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Here is Wigan’s 21-man squad:

The Opposition

Here is Catalans’ 21-man squad:

21 MAN SQUAD
Steve McNamara vient d'annoncer son groupe pour le match face à Wigan

Lucas Albert, Samisoni Langi, Julian Bousquet, Lewis Tierney
Micky McIlorum, Josh Drinkwater, David Mead, Tom Davies.

https://t.co/Noi67kA3CG
https://t.co/5Ct0GDknwJ#Dragons pic.twitter.com/KlDLXI0iUV

— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) September 10, 2020

Did You Know?

Zak Hardaker has scored a try in each of his last five games against Catalans (three for Wigan, two for Castleford).

Oliver Gildart has scored a try in each of the Warriors’ last three games against Catalans.

Previous Meetings

Wigan have won on their last four visits to Stade Gilbert Brutus and have beaten the Dragons nine out of the last ten meetings.

Harry Smith celebrates a try on debut against Catalans in September 2019.

Last ten meetings:

• Wigan 46, Catalans 12 (SLR28, 6/9/19)
• Catalans 33, Wigan 16 (SLR15, 18/5/19 at Camp Nou, Barcelona)
• Wigan 42, Catalans 0 (SLR8, 31/3/19)
• Catalans 6, Wigan 35 (SLS8-R2, 18/8/18)
• Wigan 25, Catalans 20 (SLR23, 27/7/18)
• Catalans 23, Wigan 32 (SLR10, 7/4/18)
• Catalans 10, Wigan 32 (SLR21, 8/7/17)
• Wigan 42, Catalans 22 (SLR11, 23/4/17)
• Wigan 48, Catalans 24 (SLS8-R7, 23/9/16)
• Catalans 6, Wigan 26 (SLR20, 2/7/16)

Super League summary

• Catalans won 9
• Wigan won 27 (includes wins in 2008, 2011 and 2012 play-offs)
• 1 draw

Head to Head

Here are a few statistics between the two teams from the season so far:

Coach Quotes

Previewing the game at Wednesday’s virtual press conference, boss Lam said: “It’s brilliant! I think everyone’s excited about that (playing in front of a crowd), and also the challenge of facing Catalans, who are now top of the table.

“All the players, after last week, are disappointed with the result. We want to respond this week by going out, playing a quality side and stepping it up a gear.”

Match Officials

The man in the middle on Sunday will be Chris Kendall. The video referee is Robert Hicks.

Chris Kendall.

How to Follow

The Listen Live feature will be available from the home page on www.wiganwarriors.com.

The live commentary function will give fans free match commentary from Joe Mulls and Andrew Rimmer (Bilko) of the full Round 12 fixture.

Andrew Rimmer (left) and Joe Mills (right).

Warriors season ticket holders can watch the game live via the RFL’s OurLeague streaming service. In addition, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Furthermore, Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.

• Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – live game updates and reaction at the final hooter.
• Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – live behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.
• Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information.
• Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and Head Coach and players reaction.

Wigan TV

Matches will continue to be available – as usual – on Wigan TV, with highlights, extended highlights and full match replays available after the relevant holdback times. There will also be post-match interviews available to watch.

If you’re not already a subscriber to Wigan TV, click HERE today to join. Choose a monthly (£5.99), quarterly (£11.99) or annual (£38.99) subscription with no contract. Pay with PayPal or credit/debit card.

Other Fixtures

Thursday 10th September

• Hull FC 26-23 Wakefield Trinity
• Castleford Tigers 10-12 Warrington Wolves

Friday 11th September 

• St Helens 21-20 Hull KR
• Leeds Rhinos 13-12 Huddersfield Giants

Saturday 12th September

• Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (5pm UK time)

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