21 March 2026

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Catalans (14) 26

Tries: Lipowicz 2, Navarrete, Marc Goals: Sexton 5

Hull KR (6) 20

Tries: May, Burgess, Amone Goals: Lewis 4

Reigning Super League champs Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a third defeat in their opening four video games as Catalans Dragons made an exceptional 26-20 triumph in Perpignan.

The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to end up being world champs last month, however the French side were remarkable as two shots from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.

It looked like Rovers, regardless of an unconvincing display, were carrying their method back towards victory as shots from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' charge levelled the ratings.

In a dramatic ending, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning shot which enhances them up to seventh location.

It appeared like Rovers were discovering their feet after losing their two opening video games of the league season to York Knights and Leeds Rhinos, as they beat Huddersfield Giants in both their league fixture and recently's Challenge Cup conference.

That showed to be a false dawn, however, as they revealed protective weak points, poor discipline at crucial moments and an absence of the flair which swept all before them last season.

Catalans, who have a routine of blowing hot and cold, were excellent even though they lost 3 forwards to injury, forcing making use of their 18th guy Harvey Wilson, and then saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.

Rovers had begun all right as May, in his 100th Super League appearance and playing against his former club, bounced off a deal with and stepped over the line.

But Catalans established dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended to touch down after being dealt with brief of the line.

The Dragons lost outstanding prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and then Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle problem in quick succession but it did not disrupt their circulation as Sexton's penalty and his conversion of a 2nd shot for Lipowicz had them 14-6 up at half time.

The home side even rode the loss of Dodd to extend their lead through Navarrete, however as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins started to get on top.

Oliver GIldart freed Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League attempt, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR resurgence win looked inescapable.

When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the winning moment however he unwisely attempted to unload, Dragons regained possession and when they released one last attack teen Marc stimulated mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.

'So lots of mistakes and charges' - reaction

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters informed BBC Radio Humberside:

"We made it hard for ourselves however you have to pay credit to Catalans. They're a gutsy team who work hard for each other and they discovered a method at the back end.

"But when I look at our performance, simply so lots of mistakes and charges which put us in a bad position.

"What I was happy of was the way we battled back, we put ourselves back in the video game however at the back end we were trying to find the fast repair as we desired the game so bad on that one play and it took place, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into completion, but throughout the game.

"My job now is to review it, browse it and take ownership but when you're playing, gamers play the video game.

"They put themselves in a position to win but there was a duration where we did find some circulation, hold the footy and ask some concerns, and when it was time to defend our line we did. We didn't do that for long adequate periods."

Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Laulu-Togagae, Faatape, Marc; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Da Costa, Navarrete, Lipowicz, Laguerre, Garcia.

Interchanges: Satae, Bousquet, Leeming, Chan, Wilson (18th man).

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitehead, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Amone, Luckley, Whitbread, Leyland.

Referee: Jack Smith.

Hull Kingston Rovers

Catalans Dragons