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


League champions Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a 3rd defeat in their opening four games as Catalans Dragons earned an exceptional 26-20 success in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all three domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to become world champions last month, however 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 method back towards success as tries from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' charge levelled the ratings.


In a remarkable finale, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning shot which increases them as much as seventh location.


It appeared 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 component and last week's Challenge Cup conference.


That proved to be an incorrect dawn, however, as they showed defensive weak points, bad discipline at crucial minutes and a lack of the flair 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, forcing the 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 playing against his previous club, bounced off a tackle and stepped over the line.


But Catalans established dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz stretched out to touch down after being tackled except 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 circulation as Sexton's charge and his conversion of a second 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 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 unavoidable.


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


'A lot of mistakes and charges' - response


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 team who work hard for each other and they found a method at the back end.


"But when I look at our performance, just so lots of mistakes and penalties which put us in a bad position.


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


"My task now is to evaluate it, look through it and take ownership but when you're playing, players play the game.


"They put themselves in a position to win but there was a period where we did discover some circulation, hold the footy and ask some concerns, 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