Lipowicz Double 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 third defeat in their opening four video games as Catalans Dragons made an exceptional 26-20 success in Perpignan.
The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic trophies before beating Brisbane Broncos to become world champs last month, however the French side were exceptional 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, despite an unconvincing display screen, were carrying their way back towards triumph as shots from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled the ratings.
In a significant ending, Catalans increased the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which improves them up to seventh location.
It appeared like Rovers were finding their feet after losing their 2 opening games of the league season to York Knights and Leeds Rhinos, as they beat Huddersfield Giants in both their league fixture and last week's Challenge Cup meeting.
That proved to be an incorrect dawn, however, as they revealed protective weak points, bad discipline at key moments and a lack of the flair which swept all before them last season.
Catalans, who have a routine of blowing hot and cold, were outstanding although they lost three forwards to injury, forcing using their 18th man Harvey Wilson, and then saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.
Rovers had started well enough as May, in his 100th Super League appearance and betting his previous 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 taken on short of the line.
The Dragons lost excellent prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and after that Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle issue in fast succession but it did not disrupt their flow as Sexton's penalty and his conversion of a 2nd try 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, however as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins started to get on top.
Oliver GIldart freed Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League attempt, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR comeback win looked unavoidable.
When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it appeared to be the gaining minute however he unwisely tried to unload, Dragons gained back ownership and when they one last attack teenager Marc triggered mass events by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.
'So numerous mistakes and charges' - response
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters informed BBC Radio Humberside:
"We made it hard for ourselves however you have to pay credit to Catalans. They're a gutsy group who strive for each other and they discovered a method at the back end.
"But when I look at our efficiency, so numerous mistakes and charges which put us in a poor position.
"What I was happy of was the method we resisted, we put ourselves back in the game but at the back end we were searching for the quick fix as we desired the game so bad on that one play and it happened, not simply on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into completion, but throughout the game.
"My task now is to review it, look through it and take ownership but when you're playing, gamers play the game.
"They put themselves in a position to win however there was a duration where we did discover some flow, hold the footy and ask some questions, and when it was time to protect our line we did. We didn't do that for long enough periods."
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