SL preview: Hull FC v Catalans (Fri)

Hull FC captain Gareth Ellis returns to the Airlie Birds’ squad in place of Dean Hadley, as head coach Peter Gentle makes just one change to the side which lost 38-12 to St Helens on the final day of the regular season.

Unlike Ellis, prop Andy Lynch and Super League Dream Team member Ben Crooks have not managed to overcome their respective injury problems and they both miss out.

Catalan head coach Laurent Frayssinous makes two changes to his Dragons side that finished the season in seventh place – on joint points with opponents Hull.

Outside back Damien Blanch and prop Olivier Elima come in to replace back rower Kevin Larroyer and hooker Benjamin Garcia.

Hull FC 19-man squad: Bowden, T. Briscoe, Crookes, Ellis, Green, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Kent, Miller, Pitts, Shaul, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.

Catalan 19-man squad: Webb, Blanch, Pryce, Taia, Bosc, Dureau, Elima, Henderson, Casty, Menzies, Mounis, Pelissier, Bousquet, Fakir, Paea, Duport, Vaccari, Escare, Whitehead.

Previous play-off meetings: None

Super League summary:

Hull FC won 10

Catalan won 5

2 draws

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

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