08 March 2023 , 20:44
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Wigan boss Matty Peet knows there’s little chance of Catalans freezing on Thursday - even given the inclement weather.
Temperatures are expected to drop to -3 degrees when the action gets underway at DW Stadium with snow and sleet thrown in for good measure. It’s a far cry to what unbeaten Catalans are more used to in the south of France. But Peet isn’t expecting the wintry blast to do his side any favours.
He said: “We went to Perpignan this time last year and it was torrential rain. And we had our backsides handed to us by Catalans (28-0). They’ll more than fancy their chances with the weather.”
Along with Warrington, the Dragons are the only side to have won all of their opening three Super League games. Wigan slipped up at Hull KR in their first outing but have hit back in sensational style by walloping Wakefield 60-0 and then thrashing Castleford 36-0. Delivering back-to-back whitewashes is some feat from the Challenge Cup holders.
Peet admitted: “It was the ideal reaction to the KR game. It was the only possible response. KR were red-hot that day and we probably learned some lessons the hard way. I didn’t feel like we needed reminding about our defence but the harsh reality is we did. We’ve put a lot of hard work in and produced two decent performances. But - and with no disrespect to those sides - I feel there’ll be a real step up in quality on Thursday.”
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Steve McNamara’s Catalans are missing injured England captain Sam Tomkins for a third time this term but they have learned to win without the ex-Wigan full-back. They are also without Australian half-back Mitchell Pearce but Peet added: “Steve’s evolved Catalans into one of those sides where it doesn’t really matter who plays, you know what they’re going to do.
Steve McNamara is now in charge of Catalans Dragons (Laurent Selles/Catalans Dragons/SWpix.com/REX/Shutterstock)“They look after the ball really well, defend aggressively - especially with Micky McIlorum in the mix - and you can be sure of a physical and attritional game. They’ve done a really good job of getting that style sorted: low risk out of their own end, but with the flair to get you at yours and great kicking game, too.”
Catalans are desperate to add to their solitary 2021 Grand Final appearance and win a maiden Super League title. They’ve made a fine start and - like Wigan - will fancy their chances of challenging champions St Helens.
McNamara said: “The season after a World Cup year is always a difficult one for us. We had so many players involved in it. So it’s always pleasing to get the first couple of wins out of the way. We didn’t play well (against Wakefield and Leigh) but did the basics well and were good enough to win.
“But our last outing against Hull FC (38-6) was our best game of the three by a long way. Wigan’s a completely different competition and a big challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to. We’re shuffling chess pieces around with some of the injuries, particularly in key half-back positions. We’ve found a way, though, and we’ll have to do that again.”
On Wigan, the ex-England chief added: "Every team is finding their feet but to not concede a point in the last two games, you have to say that’s a highlight. Any coach would say that. That’d be true at any stage of the season but particularly at the start. Wigan have obviously got some things right in that area and they’ve got great strike, too, scoring 36 points against Cas. It's a great start for them and we're looking forward to getting over there to take them on."
Fit-again Leeds duo Harry Newman and James Bentley make their first appearances of the season against Wakefield on Friday while Warrington have recalled half-back Riley Dean from a season-long loan at Featherstone although he is unlikely to feature in their trip to Hull KR.