Catalans Dragons vs Featherstone Rovers: Kick-off time, TV channel and predicted line-ups

The unbeaten Featherstone make the journey over to France today to take on last year’s Super League Grand Finalists Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup.

The Rovers have very clear Super League ambitions and have a superb squad capable of fulfilling them. Thus, they’ll be hoping to test themselves against one of the best teams in Super League in the shape of the Dragons.

As for Catalans, as one of the frontrunners in Super League, they’ll be backing themselves to win the Challenge Cup for the second time having won it in 2018.

Kick-off time and TV channel

The game kicks off 15:30 UK time.

The game will be shown on a big screen at Featherstone Lions with the Lions set to take on Hull Dockers in the NCL as part of a double billing.

Predicted Line-ups

Catalans Dragons
There’s a few notable absentees for the Dragons especially amongst the backs with Mitchell Pearce suspended, Dean Whare injured and Samisoni Langi not included in the 21-man squad. Coming into the centres Matthieu Laguerre and Arthur Romano will step in whilst youngster Cesar Rouge will come into the halves in place of Mitchell Pearce. The pack will remain largely the same except for Michael McIlorum’s absence giving Alrix Da Costa the chance to come into nine. Gil Dudson may very well return on the bench.

29 Sam Tomkins
2 Tom Davies
18 Matthieu Laguerre
19 Arthur Romano
5 Fouad Yaha
25 Cesar Rouge
7 Josh Drinkwater
12 Mike McMeeken
14 Alrix Da Costa
22 Dylan Napa
11 Matt Whitley
15 Benjamin Jullien
13 Ben Garcia
Substitutes
8 Gil Dudson
20 Tyrone May
27 Joe Chan
28 Sam Kasiano

Featherstone Rovers
All of the 17 who played in Featherstone’s draw with Batley are again available for two-time cup winning coach Brian McDermott, however he may want to bring star signing Joey Leilua back into the the fold which would be harsh on Josh Hardcastle. Adam Cuthbertson, who won the cup as recently as 2020 with Leeds, will likely stay in the side despite the fact McDermott noted when he signed that he wouldn’t play every game. In as big a game as this, however, his experience will be vital for the Rovers. Another new signings, Ryley Jacks, will continue in the halves having recently arrived from Australia and he’ll be alongside Dane Chisholm who came within inches of dramatically defeating Batley with a drop goal last week.

1 Brandon Pickersgill
2 Luke Briscoe
3 Joey Leilua
4 Craig Hall
5 Gareth Gale
7 Dane Chisholm
27 Ryley Jacks
21 Luke Cooper
9 Connor Jones
10 James Lockwood
16 Junior Moors
13 Jack Bussey
26 Adam Cuthbertson
Substitutes
20 Morgan Smith
11 Brett Ferres
17 Ben Hellewell
19 Callum Field