Leeds Rhinos secure first Perpignan victory in four years against Catalans Dragons
Leeds Rhinos claimed their first victory in Perpignan since the 2022 Play-Offs, defeating Catalans Dragons 28-6 in a Betfred Super League match. The win in round 18 at Stade Gilbert Brutus saw half-back Brodie Croft score his second hat-trick of the season, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Croft’s performance included a long-range effort and two solo tries. Harry Newman and Lachie Miller also crossed the try line in the first half, helping the Rhinos establish an early lead. This result moves the Rhinos four points clear of Wigan Warriors at the top of the table, having secured 15 wins from 18 games this season.
First-half dominance
The Dragons initially started brightly, but the Rhinos quickly took control of the game. Newman scored the opening try in the eighth minute, and Jake Connor’s conversion put the visitors ahead 6-0. The Rhinos’ dominance continued throughout the first half.
Croft scored his first try after a calamitous error from the Dragons, who failed to convert a scoring opportunity themselves. Moments later, Lewis Dodd offloaded the ball under pressure, allowing Croft to react quickly and sprint over 60 metres for his second score.
Miller added to the Rhinos’ lead before the break, finishing a routine try after a break from Jarrod O’Connor and a strong offload from Cameron Smith. Connor’s conversion ensured Leeds went into halftime with a 16-0 advantage.
The match also marked several milestones for Rhinos players. Danny Levi played his 200th game, Jake Connor reached 300 games, and Tom Holroyd made his 100th appearance. Additionally, captain Kallum Watkins celebrated his 300th game for the club.
Second-half control
The second half began with some friction between the two teams, sparked by a late hit on Connor. Despite the scrappy nature of play, the Rhinos maintained their composure and continued to extend their lead. Croft secured his hat-trick around the hour mark, showcasing his individual skill by sending Charlie Staines reeling with a dummy before scoring his 19th try across all competitions.
The Dragons struggled to convert their opportunities, with Nick Cotric failing to get outside Maika Sivo and an attack thwarted when Miller attempted to set up Sivo in the corner. A mistake from Matthieu Laguerre then led to O’Connor setting up Croft for his third try of the night, which Connor converted, bringing the score to 28-0 with ten minutes remaining.
Despite the Rhinos’ strong performance, the Dragons managed to score a consolation try in the final minute through Ugo Tison. However, this did not change the outcome of the match, which saw Leeds secure their seventh consecutive win. The victory was particularly significant as it ended a four-year wait for a win in Perpignan for the Rhinos.
The next key dates for the Super League 2026 season include the Rivals Round from July 23-July 26, the Elimination Play-offs on September 19-September 20, the Play-off semi-finals on September 26-September 27, and the Grand Final on October 3.
Riley Lumb was included on the wing for the Rhinos, marking his first Super League appearance since the season opener against Leigh Leopards. His inclusion came after scoring 18 tries in 12 outings for the Reserves. Cooper Jenkins also made a starting appearance at prop alongside Mikolaj Oledzki due to an injury to Keenan Palasia.
The Dragons’ sole try came from Tison in the 79th minute, with Toby Sexton converting the goal.
Leeds’ win was a notable achievement given their previous struggles at Stade Gilbert Brutus, where they had been kept scoreless on their three prior visits.
The Rhinos will look to continue their strong form as the season progresses, with the upcoming fixtures and play-offs on the horizon.
The final score was Catalans Dragons 6 Leeds Rhinos 28.
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Source: skysports.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
