SL Preview: Catalans Dragons v Hull FC

Hull FC travel to Southern France to take on Catalans Dragons and looking to cement their place in Super League‘s top four.

Peter Gentle’s men have won nine of their last ten games, including an impressive victory over current champions Leeds last week.

Catalans slipped up at the weekend as they let Widnes claw back a late draw but they could force their way back into the top four with a win against Hull.

Scott Dureau makes the Catalans squad despite having to go to hospital after the Dragons’ draw with Widnes. Lopini Paea and Damien Blanch return to Laurent Frayssinous’ 19 but Brent Webb, Olivier Elima, Louis Anderson, Julian Bousquet and Jason Baitieri all remain sidelined.

Hull are without England winger Tom Briscoe, who damaged his ribs against Leeds while Richard Horne will again miss out with a foot injury. Peter Gentle brings centres Joe Arundel and Jason Crookes into the squad with Mark O’Meley, Danny Tickle and Richard Whiting still facing spells in the treatment room with long-term injuries.

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

Hull FC 19-man squad: Arundel, Bowden, Crookes, Crooks, Ellis, Galea, Green, Holdsworth, Heremaia, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, Pitts, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.

Prediction: Expect one of the closest encounters of the weekend Hull FC to edge it – Hull FC win.

Super League summary:

Catalan Dragons won 4

Hull FC won 10

2 draws

Catalan Dragons highest score: 44-14 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)

Hull FC highest score: 40-8 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)