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 four games as Catalans Dragons earned a remarkable 26-20 victory in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic trophies before beating Brisbane Broncos to end up being world champions last month, however the French side were exceptional as 2 shots from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.


It looked like Rovers, in spite of an unconvincing display, were transporting their way back towards victory as shots from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' charge levelled ball games.


In a remarkable ending, Catalans increased the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning shot which boosts them approximately seventh location.


It seemed like Rovers were finding 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 fixture and recently's Challenge Cup conference.


That showed to be an incorrect dawn, however, as they revealed protective weaknesses, poor discipline at essential 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 exceptional despite the fact that they lost 3 forwards to injury, forcing using their 18th guy Harvey Wilson, and then saw scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had actually begun well enough as May, in his 100th Super League appearance and playing against his former club, bounced off a tackle and stepped over the line.


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


The Dragons lost exceptional prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and then Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle issue in fast succession however it did not interrupt their flow as Sexton's penalty and his conversion of a 2nd 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, however as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins began 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 penalty to square it up and a KR resurgence win looked inescapable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the gaining minute but he unwisely tried to offload, Dragons gained back belongings and when they introduced one last attack teenager Marc sparked mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to rating.


'Many errors 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 group who strive for each other and they discovered a way at the back end.


"But when I look at our efficiency, simply so lots of errors and penalties which put us in a bad position.


"What I took pride in was the way we resisted, we put ourselves back in the game however 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 just on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into the end, however throughout the game.


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


"They put themselves in a position to win however there was a period 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 durations."


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


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


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