Catalans Dragons

Catalans ill-discipline, Leigh doing just enough and Catalans Dragons v Leigh Leopards talking points

by
Sian Reed
June 21, 2025

Saturday’s final Super League game saw Catalans Dragons host Leigh Leopards at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Catalans went into the game on the back of four heavy defeats, scoring just six points and conceding 190, and sitting in ninth in the table.

Leigh may not be in the richest form as of late, but they have won their last two games, beating Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity by four points apiece.

Against Catalans, Leigh’s performance was again not their best, but it was still enough to secure a 26-18 victory.

Whilst they haven’t put in their best performances, they’ve still come away with the two points, meaning they now move up to third in the league.

Following the squad news, here’s how Catalans Dragons v Leigh Leopards unfolded.

Catalans Dragons v Leigh Leopards talking points

An improved start from the Dragons but still not good enough

Catalans have been notoriously slow to start games in 2025, and in this match, they played much better than Leigh in the first twenty minutes. They didn’t get any points to show for their efforts initially, but they also didn’t concede any either, which is a blessing in disguise for them right now.

Despite going 12-0 down towards the back end of the first half, Tevita Pangai Jr burrowed his way over just before half-time to close the deficit to 12-6. The Dragons also came out brightly in the second half, scoring first following a Sam Tomkins-Tommy Makinson combination, with the latter scoring the try.

However, following a sin bin, the 12-men Dragons couldn’t cope with Leigh’s speed in the ruck and conceded two more tries.

A new Lachlan Lam contract is a must

Everything positive in Leigh’s attack goes through his hands or his boots. Leigh need to try everything in their power to keep him from moving, whether that’s elsewhere in Super League or moving back to Australia.

He’s probably gone under the radar with his form this year, even though he’s ahead in the try assist charts. However, this Leigh side are a different outfit when he’s at his very best.

Sam Tomkins, a referee’s best friend

There’s no denying that Sam Tomkins has been one of Super League’s best players over time, and he definitely reignited his Catalans side today. However, he spent a lot of time in the referee’s ear, so much so that his microphone picked it up.

Whilst he’s allowed to ask the referee questions as the captain on the day, he stuck to the referee’s side following every penalty the Dragons gave away and questioned nearly every single decision made.

Tight game? Leigh have the upper hand

If the scoreline is close with fifteen minutes to play, the odds are in Leigh’s favour. Winning their last two games by just four points a piece along with a 1-0 win in their season opener against Wigan Warriors, they’ve won five games with a four points or less scoreline.

At this point of the season, the two points in the table matter more than points difference, and with the teams underneath them a lot more inconsistent, they could be slowly securing themselves a top four finish and a home play-off tie.

Ill-discipline in the south of France a worry

Whenever Catalans play a home game, it seems the visiting team are lured into Catalans’ style of play, meaning more ill-discipline than perhaps they’re used to. Sixteen penalties is more than your average for a Super League game nowadays.

However, Tevita Pangai Jr’s yellow card gave Leigh a man advantage, and it was too much for the Dragons to handle. Whilst Leigh didn’t have any cards themselves, they were lured into a messier game than they might have wanted. Catalans Dragons need to clean up their act if they’re to start moving up the table.