Saturday afternoon rugby league comes to you this week from the MKM Stadium as Tony Smith’s Hull FC play host to Steve McNamara’s Catalans Dragons. It’s a sensational clash that is being streamed via the RFL’s streaming service, OurLeague and available to viewers on pay-per-view.
The Catalans sit atop the Betfred Super League and are looking to gain further ground after Warrington’s demoralising defeat to Leeds Rhinos on Thursday night, whereas Hull will want to keep pace with their Yorkshire counterparts as they aim to break into the top six after a poor start to the season.
Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons
Where: MKM Stadium, Hull
When: Saturday 1st July 2023, 3pm
TV: OurLeague via Rugby-League.com (PPV)
READ MORE:
- Leeds Rhinos Set Up For 2022 Repeat After Win At Warrington Wolves
- RL Weekly: Friends, Foes & Financial Woes
- Rob Burrow, Barrie McDermott And The Power Of Laughter
Hull’s Last Five: 34-6 Win vs St Helens (Round 16), 28-16 Loss vs Leigh (Round 15), 30-18 Win vs Warrington (MW), 29-22 Loss vs Salford (Round 13), 6-26 Win vs Wakefield (Round 12)
Catalans’ Last Five: 38-30 Win vs Leigh (Round 16), 38-4 Win vs Hull KR (Round 15), 22-46 Win vs Wigan (MW), 36-6 Win vs Wakefield (Round 13), 22-46 Win vs Castleford (Round 12)
Betfred Match Winner Odds: Hull FC - 7/5, Catalans - 8/13, Tie - 18/1
First Try Scorer Odds: Tom Johnstone - 6/1, Tom Davies - 8/1, Adam Swift - 8/1, Darnell McIntosh - 9/1, Adam Keighran - 10/1
Milestones:
Adam Swift is one appearance away from reaching 200 for his career, 54 of those coming in the black and white of Hull FC over the last three seasons.
Sam Tomkins is 10 points away from reaching 1,500 points for his career, including the 56 points he got for the New Zealand Warriors.
Previous Meetings:
Catalans 38-6 Hull FC (Round 3, 2023)
Catalans 36-8 Hull FC (Round 15, 2022)
Hull FC 14-8 Catalans (Round 10, 2022)
Catalans 31-16 Hull FC (Round 19, 2021)
Hull FC 10-27 Catalans (Round 6, 2021)
Total Super League Meetings: 40 (20 for Hull, 18 for Catalans, two draws)
The final game of round 17 promises to be a firecracker as the French league leaders Catalans head to the 2017 UK City of Culture, Kingston-upon-Hull, to face Tony Smith’s Hull FC. On the surface, this one should only be going one way. Steve McNamara’s Dragons are undefeated in their last six league fixtures, claiming the scalps of St Helens, Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards along the way.
Hull FC might be sitting in ninth, but their current form is one of the hottest in Super League. Early season failings have been addressed by head coach Smith, and quite like Catalans, they’ve beaten Saints, Wigan and Warrington Wolves in the last few weeks.
Both sides have avoided any suspensions from last weekend, and should be fully fit and firing going into this one. For Hull, the two Jake’s are the ones to watch as Trueman and Clifford have been stringing together points with aplomb as of late. Catalans squad remains one of the strongest in this year’s competition. Tom Johnstone has been dominating the wing, as shown by his top scorer status with 20 tries. Arthur Mourgue has been exceptional, while the likes of Tom Davies and Alrix Da Costa have been invaluable to the Dragons’ success this year. This game might be between first and ninth, but this easily could be a post-season fixture in September if results go Hull’s way.
Sportsman Stat: Jamie Shaul is two tries away from becoming the top scorer in fixtures between Hull FC and Catalans, currently trailing Tom Lineham who scored 12 times in eight games.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
