Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants teams confirmed amid forced Giants change

Catalans Dragons interim head coach Joel Tomkins has made three changes for this evening’s Super League clash with Huddersfield Giants.

The Dragons will be looking to claim their first win in eight when they host the Super League strugglers and they’ll be keen to give their fans something to cheer about at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Huddersfield, on the other hand, will be looking to build on last week’s win over Warrington Wolves and climb even further away from the foot of the division.

They’ll take on a side that are currently carrying a number of suspension and injury issues with three forced changes being made. Chris Satae misses out as he serves a one-game ban, while Mathieu Laguerre and Arthur Romano have picked up injuries.

As such, they join a list of absentees that already includes the likes of the suspended Benjamin Garcia as well as Reimis Smith, Tariq Sims and Theo Fages.

Clement Martin comes into the centres then, while Romain Navarette starts in the front-row alongside Franck Maria. Hull FC loanee Denive Balmforth is the other man to get the nod this week, starting on the bench after joining the club on Wednesday.

Sam Hewitt is the only man to drop out for Huddersfield Giants. He picked up a head knock in the opening minutes of last week’s game with Warrington and misses out through concussion protocols.

That means Harry Rushton starts in the back-row, while Kieran Rush looks set to get a game off the bench.

Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants teams

Catalans Dragons: Sam Tomkins, Tommy Makinson, Clement Martin, Leo Darrelatour, Nick Cotric; Luke Keary, Cesar Rouge; Romain Navarette, Alrix Da Costa, Franck Maria; Bayley Sironen, Paul Seguier, Oliver Partington.

Bench: Tevita Pangai Jr, Jordan Dezaria, Denive Balmforth, Julian Bousquet

Huddersfield Giants: George Flanagan; Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Sam Halsall, Jake Bibby; Tui Lolohea, Matt Frawley; George King, Zac Woolford, Tristan Powell; Joe Greenwood, Harry Rushton, Leroy Cudjoe.

Bench: Tom Burgess, Ashton Golding, Matty English, Kieran Rush.