Magic Weekend Preview: Catalan Dragons v London Broncos

Catalan Dragons face London Broncos in Magic Weekend’s opener on Saturday with both sides needing points for altogether different reasons. 

The Catalans strengthened their hold on fifth place in Super League with a win against Castleford last weekend and will be looking to push their way in the top four when they take on London at the Etihad Stadium. 

London, meanwhile, find themselves languishing joint bottom of the table after being thrashed 64-6 by Wigan last week but have won three of their last five games, including an impressive win at home to Bradford.

Lopini Paea, Frédéric Vaccari, Julian Bousquet and Scott Dureau have recovered from injury for Catalans and are set to make their return to action. Brent Webb, Olivier Elima and Jason Baitieri all remain injured and will miss the game.

As expected, Mike Bishay is drafted into the Broncos’ squad and the youngster is in line to make his Super League debut at the weekend. Mike McMeeken and Jamie O’Callaghan replace Alex Hurst and Will Lovell, while Antonio Kaufusi misses the game following his two match suspension for a Grade C reckless strike during the London’s cup win over Bradford earlier this month. He will be available for the home game against Castleford Tigers on Saturday June 1st.

Catalan Dragons 19-man squad: Pryce, Taia, Bosc, Dureau, Henderson, Casty, Menzies, Anderson, Mounis, Pelissier, Larroyer, Millard, Simon, Bousquet, Fakir, Paea, Duport, Vaccari, Escare.

London Broncos 19-man squad: Bailey, Bishay, Bryant, Cook, Dixon, Dorn, Fisher, Gower, Grady, Howell, Krasniqi, McMeeken, Mendeika, O’Callaghan, Robertson, Rodney, Sarginson, Wheeldon, Witt.

Prediction: Catalan should prove too strong for a struggling Broncos side – Catalan win.

Magic Weekend summary:

Catalan Dragons: Won 2, Lost 4

London Broncos (including Harlequins): Won 4, Lost 2

(Head-to-head: Catalan Dragons 2, London Broncos 2)

Super League summary:

Catalan Dragons won 13

London Broncos won 8

Catalan Dragons highest score: 48-22 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)

London Broncos highest score: 38-16 (A, 2007) (Widest margin: 36-14, H, 2006; 38-16, A, 2007)