Catalans Dragons wait on star recruit as Steve McNamara makes squad decision

Steve McNamara has opted to name an unchanged Catalans Dragons 21-man squad ahead of Friday’s clash with Huddersfield Giants. The Dragons will feel as though they have a point to prove this week after falling to a shock defeat to bottom of the table London Broncos last weekend.

It was a result that led to an outburst from club president Bernard Guasch, who said he had ‘never been so ashamed’ before suggesting that decisions could be made regarding the futures of coaching staff and players depending on Friday’s performance against the Giants. The pressure is on for McNamara’s side to bounce back in convincing fashion at the John Smith’s Stadium then, as they take on Huddersfield, who are still without a permanent head coach and have little but pride to play for at this stage.

McNamara looks set to give those players that lost in the capital the chance to redeem themselves by naming an unchanged squad and Super League supporters will have to wait a week longer to see Reimis Smith in action, with the centre not included. Smith’s deal with Catalans was confirmed last week after being released by Melbourne Storm.

Huddersfield will be without key men, too, with Luke Robinson making two changes to his squad. Kieran Rush and Harvey Livett step into the fold in order to replace the injured Matty English and Adam Clune.

Elsewhere on Friday night, Hull KR will be looking to build on their win over Warrington Wolves last time out when they take host Castleford Tigers. Robins head coach Willie Peters has made one change with Matty Storton returning after a one match ban. Tom Opacic is the man to make way.

Craig Lingard, on the other hand, has made three changes with Liam Watts, Daniel Hindmarsh and Jenson Windley coming in for George Griffin, Sam Hall and Corey Hall.

Friday’s 21-man squads

Catalans Dragons: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Arthur Romano, Matthieu Laguerre, Fouad Yaha, Theo Fages, Julian Bousquet, Paul Seguier, Benjamin Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Bayley Sironen, Romain Navarette, Cesar Rouge, Chris Satae, Matt Ikuvalu, Jordan Dezaria, Franck Maria, Sam Tomkins, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Yacine Ben Abdeslem, Jarrod Wallace.

Huddersfield Giants: Jake Connor, Kevin Naiqama, Jake Bibby, Tui Lolohea, Chris Hill, Adam Milner, Sam Hewitt, Harry Rushton, Seb Ikahihifo, Thomas Deakin, Elliot Wallis, Leroy Cudjoe, Harvey Livett, Sam Halsall, Olly Russell, Fenton Rogers, Hugo Salabio, Kieran Rush, Jack Billington, Aidan McGowan, Andre Savelio.

Hull KR: Peta Hiku, Niall Evalds, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hall, Mikey Lewis, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, George King, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Matt Parcell, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Matty Storton, Kelepi Tanginoa, Tyrone May, Joe Burgess, Jack Broadbent, Jack Brown, Danny Richardson.

Castleford Tigers: Luke Hooley, Innes Senior, Jacob Miller, Liam Watts, George Lawler, Elie El-Zakhem, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman, LIam Horne, Rowan Milnes, Nixon Putt, Muizz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo, Jason Qareqare, Cain Robb, George Hill, Luis Johnson, Fletcher Rooney, Daniel Hindmarsh, Tex Hoy, Jenson Windley.