Get the lowdown on Hull FC’s Betfred Super League meeting with Catalans Dragons as we prepare to welcome supporters back to the KCOM Stadium for the first time in 431 days!
With these two sides suffering polar opposite fortunes in last weekend’s Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Hull are the side heading into tomorrow’s game with a spring in their step.
Before their league meeting with Warrington Wolves just over a fortnight ago, Catalans were unbeaten, but it’s not back-to-back defeats for Steve McNamara’s side.
Team News
Brett Hodgson has the luxury of welcoming three players back from suspension for tomorrow’s game. Jake Connor, Bureta Faraimo and Brad Fash have all served their respective bans and are available for selection.
Josh Reynolds will make his first KCOM Stadium appearance, and first appearance in front of the Old Faithful.
Danny Houghton will join Kirk Yeaman as the level second highest appearance maker for Hull FC in the Super League era (374 apps).
The Dragons will be without prop Gil Dudson, who serves a one-match suspension, but fellow front rower Mickael Goudemand has returned to Catalans’ 21-man squad.
Hull 21-man squad: Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Sao, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, Brown, Swift, Wynne, Scott, Vulikijapani
Dragons 21-man squad: Morgue, Davies, Langi, Whare, Yaha, Maloney, Drinkwater, McIlorum, Bousquet, McMeeken, Garcia, Da Costa, Jullien, Goudemand, Laguerre, J. Tomkins, Baitieri, Chan, Kasiano, S. Tomkins, Dezaria
What’s the lowdown on the Dragons?
Like the Black & Whites, Catalans were just 80 minutes away from the Grand Final last season, but were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by eventual winners St Helens.
They have started their 2021 campaign in a rich vein of form, but have stumbled over the last fortnight following back-to-back defeats to Warrington Wolves in both the league and cup.
Only Warrington have scored more points than the Dragons in Super League this season, so Hull’s steely defence will be put under the microscope once again.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Chris Satae – Fans were calling Chris Satae’s performance against Wigan Warriors last weekend one of the best by a Hull prop forward in recent memory. His two tries were pivotal in helping the Black & Whites through to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, but a game like that has been a long time coming for the Tongan front rower. Satae has been simmering nicely in the early stages of the 2021 campaign, with his short but impactful stints off the bench coming in handy for Brett Hodgson.
Dragons: Tom Davies – Only Zak Hardaker has made more metres than Tom Davies in Super League so far this season. That particular statistic not only underlines the winger’s ability to go the length of the field, but also highlights his industry in yardage sets, able to relieve pressure when the forwards are tiring. The former Wigan outside back has four tries to his name in 2021, with three coming in one match against Wakefield Trinity three weeks ago. His opposite number will need to be on their toes to keep him at bay.
Key Match Details
Where: KCOM Stadium, Hull, UK
When: Monday 17 May, 7.45pm kick-off
Coverage: OuRLeague app
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