Lipowicz Function As Catalans Pile Misery On Hull KR

21 March 2026


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Catalans (14) 26


Tries: Lipowicz 2, Navarrete, Marc Goals: Sexton 5


Hull KR (6) 20


Tries: May, Burgess, Amone Goals: Lewis 4


Reigning Super League champs Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a 3rd defeat in their opening 4 video games as Catalans Dragons earned an impressive 26-20 triumph in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic trophies before beating Brisbane Broncos to end up being world champs last month, but the French side were extraordinary as two tries from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.


It seemed like Rovers, regardless of an unconvincing display screen, were hauling their way back towards triumph as tries from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled the ratings.


In a significant ending, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning shot which improves them approximately seventh location.


It appeared like Rovers were discovering their feet after losing their two opening video games of the league season to York Knights and Leeds Rhinos, as they beat Huddersfield Giants in both their league component and last week's Challenge Cup meeting.


That proved to be a false dawn, nevertheless, as they revealed protective weak points, bad discipline at essential moments and a lack of the flair which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a practice of blowing hot and cold, were superb even though they lost 3 forwards to injury, requiring making use of their 18th male Harvey Wilson, and after that saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had started well enough as May, in his 100th Super League appearance and betting his former club, bounced off a deal with and stepped over the line.


But Catalans developed dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended out to touch down after being tackled short of the line.


The Dragons lost exceptional prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and after that Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle problem in quick succession however it did not interrupt their flow as Sexton's penalty and his conversion of a second shot for Lipowicz had them 14-6 up at half time.


The home side even rode the loss of Dodd to extend their lead through Navarrete, but as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins started to get on top.


Oliver GIldart released Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League try, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR comeback win looked inescapable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it appeared to be the gaining moment however he unwisely attempted to offload, Dragons gained back belongings and when they released one last attack teenager Marc stimulated mass events by racing clear of the Robins defence to rating.


'So lots of errors and charges' - response


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters Radio Humberside:


"We made it hard for ourselves however you have to pay credit to Catalans. They're a gutsy team who strive for each other and they discovered a way at the back end.


"But when I take a look at our efficiency, simply so numerous errors and charges which put us in a bad position.


"What I took pride in was the method we battled back, we put ourselves back in the game however at the back end we were searching for the quick repair as we wanted the video game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into the end, but throughout the video game.


"My task now is to examine it, browse it and take ownership however when you're playing, gamers play the video game.


"They put themselves in a position to win however there was a period where we did find some flow, hold the footy and ask some questions, and when it was time to safeguard our line we did. We didn't do that for long adequate durations."


Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Laulu-Togagae, Faatape, Marc; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Da Costa, Navarrete, Lipowicz, Laguerre, Garcia.


Interchanges: Satae, Bousquet, Leeming, Chan, Wilson (18th male).


Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitehead, Batchelor, Minchella.


Interchanges: Amone, Luckley, Whitbread, Leyland.


Referee: Jack Smith.


Hull Kingston Rovers


Catalans Dragons