Steve McNamara on standout duo & “pathetic” Mitchell Pearce sin bin

Catalans coach Steve McNamara has singled out Mike McMeeken and Paul Seguier out for praise during their 10-4 win at Leeds.

The Dragons claimed their second win of the season after a scrappy encounter at Headingley. Tries either side of half-time from Fouad Yaha and Joe Chan saw the Dragons home.

McNamara was particularly pleased with McMeeken, who went into the front row as a result of who the Dragons had missing.

He said:” Mike said he’d play prop and he was unreal. His performance was top drawer for a person who has not played that position.

“I was sick of hearing about how many Leeds players were missing, let’s speak about the players who are playing.

“Paul Seguier hasn’t played this season and he’s had gastroenteritis for the last three days but he put his hand up to play because he knew we were in trouble.”

REPORT: Leeds 4-10 Catalans: Dragons win scrappy encounter- talking points

McNamara calls Pearce sin-binning “pathetic”

The Dragons coach was critical of the decision to send Mitchell Pearce to the sin bin. The half-back was sent for 10 minutes in the bin after a high tackle on Liam Tindall. He would return for the final five minutes of the match.

McNamara added: “I thought it was pathetic.

“It’s a high tackle and a penalty but it’s not a sin-binning in our game. I was really disappointed with that decision.

“We all understand the reasons the rules were brought in and we’re fully on board with protecting our players but we’re frustrated at the minute. We’re all getting baffled by certain decisions and that was one of them.”

There was also a brief update on Sam Tomkins, who missed almost all of the second half with a knee injury.

“He wasn’t right before the game,” McNamara said. “He pushed himself to play but he wasn’t quite right so we took him off.”

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