Catalans and Leeds have both announced their 21-man squads for Friday night’s Elimination play-off fixture at Halliwell Jones Stadium (KO 7:45pm).
Both sides benefitted from the decision made by Super League last week to change the play-off structure, with the Dragons having only played 12 games of the required 15 to qualify, and the Rhinos finishing outside the top four.
The two teams have also had an extended rest period since their respective last games, which saw Catalans fall to a 42-24 defeat to Salford and Leeds hold on to beat Wakefield 20-18.
The winner of this game will go on to face either Wigan or St Helens in the semi-finals, depending on who wins Thursday night’s clash between Warrington and Hull FC.
Catalans Dragons
The Dragons are boosted by the return of several senior players, including Sam and Joel Tomkins, Jason Baitieri and Matt Whitley. Youngsters Arthur Morgue and Paul Seguier keep their places, with the likes of Lucas Albert, Benjamin Jullien and Arthur Romano dropping out.
21-man squad: 1 David Mead, 3 Samisoni Langi, 4 Israel Folau, 5 Fouad Yaha, 6 James Maloney, 7 Josh Drinkwater, 8 Remi Casty, 9 Michael McIlorum, 10 Sam Moa, 11 Matt Whitley, 12 Joel Tomkins, 13 Benjamin Garcia, 14 Julian Bousquet, 15 Mickael Simon, 16 Tom Davies, 19 Mickael Goudemand, 21 Paul Seguier, 24 Jason Baitieri, 25 Arthur Morgue, 28 Sam Kasiano, Sam Tomkins.
Leeds Rhinos
Konrad Hurrell, Matt Prior, Richie Myler and Tom Briscoe all return after missing the Wakefield game due to self-isolating through track and trace. Luke Briscoe and youngsters Sam Walters, Jarrod O’Connor and Callum McLelland all drop out. James Donaldson also returns, replacing the suspended Alex Mellor.
21-man squad: 1 Jack Walker, 2 Tom Briscoe, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Ash Handley, 6 Rob Lui, 7 Luke Gale, 8 Ava Seumanufagai, 9 Kruise Leeming, 10 Matt Prior, 12 Rhyse Martin, 14 Brad Dwyer, 15 Liam Sutcliffe, 16 Richie Myler, 19 Mikolaj Oledzki, 20 Bodene Thompson, 21 Rhys Evans, 22 Cameron Smith, 25 James Donaldson, 26 Alex Sutcliffe, 39 James Harrison, 40 Brett Ferres.
