Huddersfield Giants host Catalans Dragons with Luke Robinson’s side looking for their first win of the Super League season.
With the club able to name just eight of their top seventeen to their 21-man squad on account of an injury crisis, it would be an upset should they break that winless streak today.
However, Catalans are certainly not at full fitness either and, like Huddersfield, have a key forward sitting in the stands as a result of a suspension.
Les Dracs head coach Steve McNamara has described the game as a part of a tricky April schedule, admitting that it’s an “important period for the team right now”, but realistically, it is a must-win game for Catalans if they hope to achieve anything this year.
Their slow start to Super League has left them closer to the foot of the table than the top, and even a win would leave them two points shy of the play-offs.
For Huddersfield, a win would do wonders to lift the attitude of what must be a fed-up camp given their torrid injury luck.
Here’s how we predict each team could line up.
How Huddersfield Giants could line up versus Catalans
Tui Lolohea is the latest spine player added to the injury list alongside the likes of Adam Clune and Zac Woolford. That means Liam Sutcliffe will likely have to partner George Flanagan in the halves again, although Ash Golding could be moved there as it’s likely Robinson will carry two hookers on his bench simply because he has few other options.
Thhose men will be Bill Leyland, their new loanee from Hull KR, and Thomas Deakin whilst Jack Billington and potentially Jack Bibby could complete the interchanges.
A worrying lack of power on the bench could see someone such as Taane Milne, who did play internationally in the second-row this autumn, move into the pack. Bans for Oliver Wilson and injuries to George King (calf), Harry Rushton (ankle/knee), Matty English (achilles) leave Luke Robinson’s forward pack in tatters, at least in terms of depth.
Predicted Huddersfield Giants XIII: Jacob Gagai, Aidan McGowan, Jake Bibby, Taane Milne, Sam Halsall, George Flanagan Jr, Liam Sutcliffe, Tom Burgess, Ash Golding, Fenton Rogers, Sam Hewitt, Joe Greenwood, Leroy Cudjoe
Interchanges: Bill Leyland, Thomas Deakin, Jack Billington, Jack Bibby
21-Man Squad locked in for Sunday 🔐 #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/6zXYC8vYv0
— Huddersfield Giants 🐮🔔 (@Giantsrl) April 11, 2025
How Catalans Dragons could line up versus Huddersfield
An injury to Sam Tomkins that he picked up in his 400th career appearances means that there is a chance youngster Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, who previously featured in the halves, could start at full-back.
Other injuries in the backline rule out winger Nick Cotric meaning Fouad Yaha, or potentially academy man Leo Darrelatour, will take his spot. Arthur Romano gets the nod over Matthieu Laguerre who provides cover on the bench.
With Elliott Whitehead banned and Romain Navarette (broken cheekbone) both out, there will be changes in the pack. One such solution would be captain Benjamin Garcia moving to prop, allowing Tariq Sims and Bayley Sironen to start in the second-row. Plenty of power remains on the bench with Chris Satae and Julian Bousquet, whilst Paul Seguier and Jordan Dezaria are also options.
Predicted Catalans Dragons XIII: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Tommy Makinson, Arthur Romano, Reimis Smith, Fouad Yaha, Luke Keary, Theo Fages, Benjamin Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Tevita Pangai Jr, Tariq Sims, Bayley Sironen, Oliver Partington
Interchanges: Cesar Rouge, Chris Satae, Julian Bousquet, Matthieu Laguerre
𝗟𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝟮𝟭 ⚔️
𝑃𝑟𝑒́𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒́ 𝑝𝑎𝑟 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑒 𝑃𝑒𝑦𝑟𝑜𝑡 𝐴𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
Steve McNamara a dévoilé son groupe pour le déplacement à Huddersfield🇫🇷 https://t.co/NcCQqmaKbq
🇬🇧 https://t.co/cJUB2Wg1Bw pic.twitter.com/NUoBkuvp6H— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) April 11, 2025
