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 champions Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a third defeat in their opening 4 games as Catalans Dragons made an impressive 26-20 victory in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to become world champs last month, however the French side were remarkable as two shots 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, 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 increased the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which increases them as much as seventh location.


It seemed like Rovers were discovering their feet after losing their 2 opening video games of the league season to York Knights and Leeds Rhinos, as they beat Huddersfield Giants in both their league fixture and recently's Challenge Cup meeting.


That showed to be a false dawn, nevertheless, as they revealed defensive weak points, poor discipline at essential minutes and a lack of the style which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a habit of blowing hot and cold, were superb although they lost three forwards to injury, requiring the usage of their 18th guy Harvey Wilson, and then saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had started all right as May, in his 100th Super League look and betting his previous club, bounced off a take on and stepped over the line.


But Catalans established dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended to touch down after being taken on except the line.


The Dragons lost outstanding prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and then Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle problem in fast succession but it did not disrupt 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 attempt, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a penalty to square it up and a KR return win looked inescapable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the gaining moment however he unwisely tried to unload, Dragons regained ownership and when they introduced one last attack teenager Marc stimulated mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.


'Many errors and charges' - reaction


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters informed BBC Radio Humberside:


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


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


"What I took pride in was the method we resisted, we put ourselves back in the video game however at the back end we were looking for the quick fix as we desired the game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not simply on Jack [Broadbent's] play at the end, however throughout the video game.


"My job now is to review it, browse it and take ownership but when you're playing, gamers play the game.


"They put themselves in a position to win but there was a duration where we did discover some circulation, 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 periods."


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


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


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