Match preview: Catalans Dragons
Everything you need to know ahead of Wigan Warriors’ Betfred Super League Round 25 clash with Catalans Dragons.
The Warriors host the League Leaders Catalans Dragons in the final round of the regular season, this Friday evening at the DW Stadium. The Warriors have an exemplary home record against the Dragons, having won their last 13 home meetings, their last home defeat coming against the Catalans in April 2011.
Campaign so far
The Cherry and Whites head into the fixture with two wins from their previous six in the competition. As it stands, Wigan have secured a fourth placed finish, having won 14 of their 24 games this season.
The Dragons have played two games less than the Warriors, but having lost just three games in the 2021 season, they have secured top spot for the first time in their history.
Team news
Willie Isa returns after serving a four-match suspension following last month’s game against St Helens. Tony Clubb comes back in and James McDonnell is recalled from his loan spell at York City Knights to make the 21-player squad.
Injury news
Jai Field is not named as he continues to recover from a minor groin strain and is unlikely to feature again this season.
Captain Tommy Leuluai and Bevan French also continue their recovery from long-term hamstring injuries.
Wigan Warriors squad to face Catalans Dragons:
Adrian Lam has named his Cherry and Whites squad for Friday’s fixture.
Opposition
Catalans head coach Steve McNamara also named his squad on Wednesday afternoon, with eight players returning to the line-up for the fixture.
Previous meetings
Last ten:
- Catalans Dragons 48, Wigan 0 (SLR8, 29/5/21)
- Catalans Dragons 12, Wigan 28 (SLR12, 12/9/20)
- Wigan 46, Catalans Dragons 12 (SLR28, 6/9/19)
- Catalans Dragons 33, Wigan 16 (SLR15, 18/5/19)(at Camp Nou, Barcelona)
- Wigan 42, Catalans Dragons 0 (SLR8, 31/3/19)
- Catalans Dragons 6, Wigan 35 (SLS8-R2, 18/8/18)
- Wigan 25, Catalans Dragons 20 (SLR23, 27/7/18)
- Catalans Dragons 23, Wigan 32 (SLR10, 7/4/18)
- Catalans Dragons 10, Wigan 32 (SLR21, 8/7/17)
- Wigan 42, Catalans Dragons 22 (SLR11, 23/4/17)
Super League summary
- Wigan wins: 28
- Catalans wins: 10
- Draws: 1
Coach quotes
Speaking to the media ahead of the fixture, Lam gave his thoughts ahead of Friday’s game: “It’s been a difficult year, which has been quite well publicised. I feel that we have got a lot of the players playing close to their best rugby now and we’ve certainly got our defence system right.
“Two weeks out of three now we’ve held our opposition, at their home ground, to nil. The big games are coming along and it’s a positive sign for us.
“We’re in a pretty good place, attacking wise we now need to with our performance, just keep working hard on trying to score more points and realistically that’s where we’re at.
“It’s all about moving the chess pieces. We’ve got to take a couple of things into consideration, one is our momentum, two is our confidence, three is a really strong performance in front of our home fans and four is to make sure that we get through with the minimal risk of injury, suspension or fatigue – that’s in regards to this particular week.”
Click HERE to read Lam’s preview in full.
Match officials
The man in the middle on Friday evening will be James Child.
Ticket info
You can buy tickets in either of these three ways:
- Buy online by clicking HERE
- Call the DW Stadium Ticket Office on 01942 311111 (open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
- Head to the DW Stadium Ticket Office (open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
For more information on tickets at the DW Stadium, please click HERE.
Season Ticket Holders
As this fixture is a regular season round, 2021 Season Ticket Holders can access the game with the same QR code they will have received earlier in the season. If for any reason you are a Season Ticket Holder and have not got your QR code, please contact the DW Stadium ticket office on ticketoffice@dwstadium.com.
Offers
Superhero Round is coming to the DW Stadium this Friday night.
After the numerous challenges and difficulties we have all experienced this past year and a half, the Club are rewarding those who have acted like ‘superheroes’. Whether you are a Season Ticket Holder and would like to show your appreciation to someone who has helped you hugely through the pandemic or that you are a key worker and would like to come to watch some Rugby League, Wigan Warriors are putting on two offers to celebrate all things superheroes.
For the fixture, all Season Ticket Holders can invite a friend or family member for free to attend with them. Please note that this offer must be redeemed by visiting or phoning the DW Stadium Ticket Office on 01942 311111. Tickets are now available to collect / order. Please note that seasonal hospitality clients can also claim tickets for friends or family but this does not include free hospitality.
Also, as a thank you to all key workers for their outstanding efforts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we are giving away two tickets each to every key worker who would like to come to the game. Please note that these tickets are for the North Stand only and must be redeemed via the DW Stadium Ticket Office with proof shown in person. Please click HERE to read more and see the Terms and Conditions as to who qualifies as a key worker and what to show as proof if you are a key worker.
How to follow
Wigan TV
Highlights and match reaction will be available on Wigan TV following the result. Not a subscriber? Find out more HERE.
Listen LIVE
Join commentary team Joe Mills and Bilko (Andrew Rimmer) as they bring you free live commentary of the whole game. Head to the Wigan Warriors home page here from 10 minutes before kick-off and click ‘Listen Live’.
Alternatively, click HERE to enjoy the commentary and join in the conversation with fellow fans.
Social Media
As an alternative to following the game, Wigan fans can keep up-to-date with every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.
- Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – live game updates and reaction at the final hooter.
- Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.
- Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information and reaction.
- Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and head coach and players reaction.
Enter the Virtual 50/50 Half Time Draw, offering you great prizes whilst providing a huge revenue boost to our famed Academy! Click HERE for more info.
