The final televised match in the Super League this weekend comes from France as two playoff chasing sides meet when the Catalans Dragons host the Huddersfield Giants.
This is a bonus for the TV coverage because it is a really important match. The Dragons are now assured of Super League rugby next season barring something quite ridiculous in their last two matches but a win here would take them within two points of fourth placed Huddersfield going into the Super Eights.
Catalans go into this match as the 10/11 favourites with Stan James. Their record at home is excellent. They have won their last six matches in France and after a shaky start on their own patch they have really turned it into a fortress. If it remains a fortress and they can find a couple of wins on the road they could yet be playoff bound.
The Dragons will be without Fouad Yaha as a shoulder injury has ruled him out for much of the remainder of the season. That is a blow but Todd Carney is once again named in the squad and is likely to make his comeback here and that is very much a boost.
The Huddersfield Giants have been in great form in recent times. They had won their previous three matches before they went to St Helens last week and despite having chances to win that match they were eventually undone by another Luke Walsh drop goal but they will go here with confidence high. They have one of the best defences in the league statistically but it will be tested to the full here.
Catalans aren’t the only side bringing a major player back into their side for this match. Brett Ferres has served a two match ban and he’s back in the side and there could be a debut for Daniel Smith who joined from Wakefield recently. Danny Brough didn’t look fully fit at Langtree Park last week but he is in this squad here.
These two met at the Magic Weekend in May and played out one of the matches of the weekend. They drew 22-22 on that occasion but the Dragons will know they should have won the match because Scott Dureau missed a relatively easy conversion in that match. In the end Huddersfield scored a last gasp try which Danny Brough converted to secure the draw. A repeat of that would set up a great game.
I respect Huddersfield’s rise in form in the last month or so but you can’t ignore Catalans’ home form. It is now six matches in a row they have won at home and they are a totally different proposition when they are in their own conditions. It will be hot which might not suit Huddersfield’s pack and given how well Catalans play in this climate I’m prepared to take them to win what I fully expect to be a high scoring game.
Back Catalans Dragons to beat Huddersfield for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Stan James
