Catalans Dragons star suffers broken arm in opening Super League tie

Catalans Dragons star Julian Bousquet has succumbed to a broken arm in the French side’s game against St Helens.

Bousquet went off almost immediately after the second-half clutching his arm and the Sky Sports commentary confirmed that he had suffered a broken forearm.

It was always going to be a feisty one considering Catalans and Saints had fought the 2021 Grand Final in incredible fashion.

But, perhaps nobody expected a sinbin to be awarded by referee Liam Moore in the first carry of the first set.

Gil Dudson, one of Catalans’ starting props, ran the ball in at a number of St Helens defenders before Joe Batchelor came in against the Dragons forward.

Something happened on the ground and Dudson got up clutching his eye after forcing Batchelor off.

Dudson was accused of striking out in the tackle with touch judge Robert Hicks detailing to Moore that the Welsh enforcer should be given ten minutes in the bin for his indiscretion.

It’s been a warm one so far with Michael McIlorum also wrestling with Saints’ Alex Walmsley moments later.

A superb Grand Final rematch is certainly in store with an expectant crowd loving the big hits and strong carries.