GAME ON : Catalan Dragons v Huddersfield Giants - 17:00:00

GENERAL CHAT ABOUT THE GAME, BUILD UP, THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENS AND AFTERMATH BELOW.

Catalans look like good value this week, given the number of French internationals, plus Samuel Tomkins, in the roster.

Catalan by 20 for me we’re not a strong enough side with the injures and missing players at the moment

Catalan by 20 for me we’re not a strong enough side with the injures and missing players at the moment

Catalans by 16 for me.

It will be interesting to see if Les Dracs try to use the concussion rule to the extreme like they did in round one. 8 interchanges became 12. Doubt they will though as this game is televised.

Can get Catalans at -12 on the handicap which looks like a decent bet as it's pretty much the same squad for Hudds as last week.

Hudds will be fine once they get some players back but you have to worry for them as after Catalans they have Wire, Hull, Wigan and Saints. That's potentially a 0/6 start and don't want to be playing catch-up so early in the season.

catalan win.

giants no chance.. too many players out again.

Catalans Dragons remain without back-rower Gregory Bird and winger Jodie Broughton through injury, while David Mead is unavailable for family reasons.

Who is out for Huddersfield Giants?

A few more than what there is for Les Cats apparently.

Jean, the French National side would get taken apart by just about all SL sides. Playing for France is hardly something that will scare the opposition.

A tough game to call, although you have to fancy Catalan on their own patch and Huddersfield ar still missing half of their team.

Catalan by 12-16 points

Catalans must rack up a big score today to help their playoff prospects.

Kickoff is only minutes away.

How on earth is that a try?

Tough call that one. Personally thought his hands went to the side of the ball with the Hudds player managing to shuffle it dead. One of those were the on field call makes all the difference.
Bit sloppy in areas but good close game for the first 20.

Clear daylight with the ball in the air then knocked away by the defender. Utterly bizarre.

That’s a shocking decision by Kendall, quite clearly a knock on.

Totally agree.

Is that Matt Whitley the big gangley back rower from Widnes? Playing centre

?

Huddersfield forwards have played well, especially in the first 12 minutes, but it is in the backs that Catalans have the clear superiority. It is Catalans backs who have made the difference. For that reason the half time score of Catalans 18 Huddersfield 6 is a fair reflection of the game. Had Brayden Williame and Samisoni Langi possessed a little more speed then the Catalans advantage would have been even greater.

The only way that Huddersfield can win is if the Catalans forwards relax.

Catalans purchase of Matt Whitley has been a very astute decision by Steven McNamara. He is quality and class in attack. He will cause an interesting selection head ache for McNamara when Jodie Broughton and David Mead are back in contention for selection.

I dont think it will be too much of a selection headache. Both Broughton and Mead would leave Whitley standing and either/ both of them will be in the starting 13 when fit.

Huddersfield have missing mcgillvery, cudjoe , Taia, Ferguson, gaskel, Jake Wardle, Paul clough, obiren , roberts, roche all missing. Brutal

+ former Castleford 7 Thomas 'Sherlock' Holmes

O’brien And Roberts are playing in this game and Roche would only play if their was injuries so can’t claim he’s a big loss

So the truth is that Huddersfield had seven (7) first choice selections missing.

Catalans were missing Gregory Bird, Benjamin Garcia, Jodie Broughton and David Mead. That is four (4) first choice selections missing.

So Huddersfield were only slightly worse off and thus their injuries made not such a huge difference.

Regulars missing
Cudjoe
Gaskell
Mcgillvery
Taii
Ferguson
Clough
At a push Jake Wardle
Roche is a squad player, Holmes won’t be first choice either