Lipowicz Function As Catalans Pile Misery On Hull KR

21 March 2026


148 Comments


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 3rd defeat in their opening 4 games as Catalans Dragons made a remarkable 26-20 triumph 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 2 shots from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.


It looked like Rovers, despite an unconvincing display, were carrying their way back towards success as shots from and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled the scores.


In a dramatic ending, Catalans increased the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning shot which enhances them up to seventh place.


It looked like Rovers were finding their feet after losing their two 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 conference.


That proved to be an incorrect dawn, however, as they revealed defensive weaknesses, poor discipline at essential moments and a lack of the flair which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a habit of blowing hot and cold, were outstanding despite the fact that they lost 3 forwards to injury, forcing using their 18th man 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 take on and stepped over the line.


But Catalans developed dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended to touch down after being dealt with 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 quick succession but it did not interrupt their flow as Sexton's charge 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, 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 try, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR return win looked inevitable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the gaining minute however he unwisely tried to unload, Dragons regained possession and when they launched one last attack teen Marc triggered mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.


'A lot of errors and penalties' - reaction


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 team who work hard for each other and they discovered a way at the back end.


"But when I take a look at our performance, so lots of errors and charges which put us in a poor position.


"What I took pride in was the way we combated back, we put ourselves back in the game however at the back end we were looking for the quick repair as we wanted the video game so bad on that one play and it took place, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] play at the end, however throughout the video game.


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


"They put themselves in a position to win however there was a duration where we did find some flow, hold the footy and ask some concerns, 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