Catalans v Leeds: Predicted line-ups and late injury news

For the second week in a row, Catalans take on Leeds in the blockbuster Super League clash of the weekend. Catalans are looking for a ninth consecutive win to cement their place at the top of the league. Meanwhile Leeds have looked better in recent weeks and will be hoping to end the Dragons’ winning run having come close to doing so last week.

The Dragons could very well be vulnerable. After moving Arthur Mourgue into the halves last week, they find themselves again forced into changing around their six and seven. James Maloney, who picked up three Man of Steel points against the Rhinos last Friday, drops out through suspension. That’ll leave Steve McNamara sweating on the availability of Josh Drinkwater after he missed the Headingley clash between the two sides. Also missing through suspension is Joel Tomkins and exacerbating his loss is the injury to Jason Baitieri. However, returning to the side is the impressive Gil Dudson. He’s back after a one match ban.

As for the Rhinos, the big news is the potential return of Harry Newman after 10 months on the side lines. Despite the presence of Konrad Hurrell and Liam Sutcliffe at centre, Richard Agar confirmed in his press conference yesterday that 2020’s Young Player of the Year will feature in some capacity. The Rhinos will again be without Rob Lui as he struggles to return from a hamstring strain suffered against Warrington. Meanwhile, Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki are both self-isolating due to close contact with family members who tested positive for the virus. Making matters worse for Leeds is the suspension of Rhyse Martin and Bodene Thompson leaving a conundrum at second-row. Will 17-year-old Morgan Gannon return to the starting line-up, will it be fellow youngster Sam Walters or will Agar opt for experience in James Donaldson?

Catalans
29 Sam Tomkins
2 Tom Davies
4 Dean Whare
3 Samisoni Langi
5 Fouad Yaha
1 Arthur Mourgue
7 Josh Drinkwater
8 Gil Dudson
13 Benjamin Garcia
10 Julian Bousquet
11 Matt Whitley
12 Mike McMeeken
17 Mickael Goudemand
Substitutes
14 Alrix Da Costa
15 Benjamin Jullien
16 Paul Seguier
28 Sam Kasiano

Leeds
16 Richie Myler
24 Luke Briscoe
4 Konrad Hurrell
15 Liam Sutcliffe
2 Tom Briscoe
9 Kruise Leeming
7 Luke Gale
18 Tom Holroyd
14 Brad Dwyer
10 Matt Prior
11 Alex Mellor
25 James Donaldson
17 Cameron Smith
Substitutes
3 Harry Newman
19 King Vuniyayawa
26 Jarrod O’Connor
31 Morgan Gannon