Leeds Rhinos to take huge following to Perpignan for Catalans Dragons clash

Leeds Rhinos will look to build on their back-to-back wins over Hull FC and London Broncos as they travel to face Catalans Dragons with Rohan Smith’s side expected to be incredibly well-supported.

Despite sitting just two points outside the playoffs, it’s been an underwhelming season so far for the Rhinos with frequent calls from fans for head coach Rohan Smith to be sacked.

Those calls were never as loud as during the win over Hull FC, during which a number of the Leeds Rhinos’ faithful were heard chanting, ‘We want Rohan out’.

Previously, there had been post-game boos at Headingley when the Rhinos threw away two double-digit leads to lose to Huddersfield Giants and to that Smith pointed to the notion that fans could simply be discontented with the referee’s performance.

That game marked the fourth home loss in a row and when asked about the chorus of boos at the final whistle, he said: “I’ve never considered that. They could have been booing the ref too.”

Consecutive wins following that, albeit against Super League’s bottom two sides, have helped fan relations and that’s been proven with the reported huge figure that the club will take to Perigna this weekend.

Are Leeds Rhinos the best-supported team in Super League?

Plenty of Super League sides do take strong following to Perpignan with notable examples this season and late last season including Salford Red Devils, St Helens and Hull KR, but Leeds Rhinos could be set to top all those sides.

In spite of their rollercoaster season that’s seen the team only beat two current playoff teams, one of which was Catalans in Round Three, Rohan Smith’s side will be supported by over 1,000 fans it’s expected.

Those reports have come from Steve Brady who has claimed that over 1,000 will descend on Perpignan to enjoy the summer weather and rugby this weekend.

Brady gave a nod to some of the strong followings that have already made the trip to France this season when reporting the news on social media: “Apparently, over 1,000 Rhinos fans heading to Perpignan this week, some big numbers already this season enjoying the best awayday in Super League.”

He also made the bold claim that the repeat of last year’s Grand Final when Wigan head to Perpignan will be set to “break all records”. Wigan have already faced Steve McNamara’s side once this season, defeating the Dragons 30-8 last week, but the meeting in August will be hotly anticipated.

As for Leeds Rhinos, this weekend’s game provides them a chance to do the double over Catalans and prove that they can beat the big teams as well. If they were to manage a win then it would mark the first time this campaign that the club have strung together three consecutive wins.

With last week’s injury to Brodie Croft adding to the club’s lengthy injury list, the Dragons are huge favourites with the bookmakers, making the support even more impressive from those Leeds Rhinos fans.

As such Jack Sinfield will partner Matt Frawley in the halves with Leeds missing players such as Harry Newman, Paul Momirovski, David Fusitu’a, James Bentley, Morgan Gannon and teen sensation Riley Lumb who scored a brace on debut.