Match Preview: Catalans vs Oldham

Oldham head to Perpignan this Saturday for a first ever meeting against Catalans Dragons (6:30pm kick-off, French time).

If Roughyeds are triumphant on Saturday at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, it would mark the club’s first-ever competitive victory on French soil in its 150-year history.

Oldham have enjoyed success in France before, albeit only in pre-season, when they beat Pia in a friendly during the opening game of a three-match tour in 1991.

A victory on Saturday would also see Roughyeds – who have won the cup three times – progress to the quarter-finals, which would be the furthest for the club since 2008.

The Dragons will be hoping to go further than last year when they reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Catalans won the competition as recently as 2018 whereas Oldham last lifted the trophy back in 1927.

Team News

Alan Kilshaw has made a number of changes to the squad this week, with Jack Walker, Ben O'Keefe and Ryan Lannon brought in to the 21-man squad.

O'Keefe and Lannon have not featured since the away defeat to London but could return in France. Walker, who has missed the last two matches, is also available for selection again.

Out of the squad goes Harvey Makin – whose return to Wigan was announced earlier this week – as well as Emmanuel Waine who misses the trip to Perpignan.

Things are positive on the injury front with only Iain Thornley sidelined with a long-term injury, but Brad Day and Bayley Liu both miss the Dragons match with them cup-tied.

Having already featured in the competition for Halifax, the former Panthers pair cannot feature for Oldham as per the RFL rules.

Head coach Alan Kilshaw previewed Saturday evening's game on Roughyeds TV here.

Squad in full: 1. Jack Walker, 2. Kieran Dixon, 3. Ben O’Keefe, 4. Ben Davies, 5. Jake Bibby, 6. Morgan Smith, 7. Riley Dean, 8. Jack Ormondroyd, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Ryan Lannon, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Cole Geyer, 15. Ted Chapelhow, 16. Ewan Moore, 18. Jaron Purcell, 21. Tom Nisbet, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 24. Marcus Geener, 25. Sam Littler.

The Opposition

Catalans have had a mixed bag of results in Super League so far with two victories and two losses.

They head into this game, though, off the back of a narrow win over Leigh Leopards and will want to continue that form.

This year, the Dragons have shifted from their usual recruitment focus on ageing NRL stars, bringing in a number of young overseas talents, including Charlie Staines, Toby Sexton, Josh Allen, and Zac Lipowicz.

Booking their place in the fourth round, they hammered Batley 56-4 – a victory in which former Roughyed Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e got on the scoresheet.

The full-back – who spent the past three seasons with Oldham – could feature against his former club, having played on the wing in the most recent victory over the Leopards.

There could be a debut for another former Oldham man, Matty Russell. With Tommy Makinson pulling out of last week's game during the warm-up, winger Russell could be given the nod against the side he started the year with but did not feature for.

Tickets and access

If you have not yet got your tickets for Saturday's game, you can do so here.

Adult €15
Student €8
Child €5

Media coverage

We can confirm that Saturday's game with Catalans will not be shown live. However, we will be providing audio-only commentary of the game via Roughyeds TV, Wi-Fi permitting.

Matt Horton will be your commentator and the free stream will be up and running shortly ahead of kick-off, subject to there being no connectivity issues at Stade Gilbert Brutus. Make sure you are following all of our social channels for to not miss a moment of the action.

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We can't wait to see you with us in Perpignan on Saturday evening - Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!