Remembering last KR side to win at Catalans
KR'S LAST VICTORY IN PERPIGNAN WAS ALMOST FIVE YEARS AGO
CATALANS Dragons’ Stade Gilbert Brutus has not been a happy hunting ground for Hull KR in recent years.
On their last seven trips to Perpignan, Rovers have come away emptyhanded, a record they’ll want to put right on Saturday.
You have to return to 2019 to find the Robins’ last win against the Dragons in their lair. However, it was one of the most important wins in the club’s recent history.
The Robins won 24-6 that day and it was a victory that ultimately secured their place in Super League.
Ryan Shaw scored 20 points, two tries and six goals, while Danny Mcguire was also on the scoresheet. It was a monumental, and muchneeded, victory.
Rovers would subsequently lose their final two matches of the season to London Broncos and Salford Red Devils. Ultimately, they survived the drop by the skin of their teeth. Without that win, they would have gone down.
Since then, Rovers have gone from strength to strength. They implemented a new recruitment policy the year after and now they are competing at the right end of the table, with fears of relegation a distant memory.
With that in mind, we’ve thrown back to that day to look at the 17 who featured, and it makes for interesting reading.
Only four players in the squad that year remain at the club now, with two of them playing here.
FULLBACK - WILL DAGGER:
The fullback was with the club as recently as last year, making a mid-season switch to Wakefield Trinity. He is now playing in the Championship with York Knights.
WING - RYAN SHAW:
A popular player during his time at Craven Park, Shaw now plays for Barrow Raiders, his hometown club, in the Championship. He scored 46 tries in 82 games for the Robins, with these two tries among his most important.
CENTRE - KANE LINNETT:
A man who needs little introduction, Linnett had a great spell with the club that came to an end last year, announcing his retirement despite having a year left on his contract. He played 110 games for the club, with this being his first season.
CENTRE - JIMMY KEINHORST:
Keinhorst had also just joined the club after making the move from Leeds Rhinos ahead of the season. He remained with the club until the end of last year and is now playing with Dagger at York.
WING - BEN CROOKS:
The former Hull FC talent enjoyed a decent season with Rovers in 2019, scoring 11 tries in 27 appearances. It set him up for a good campaign in 2020, with Crooks Super League’s top scorer before Covid-19 halted the season. He now plays in the Championship with Halifax Panthers.
STAND-OFF - JOSH DRINKWATER:
The Australian spent one season with the club and this would ironically be one of his last matches for Rovers before staying in Perpignan to play for the Dragons, where he spent three seasons. Arguably his best day in a Hull KR shirt was his first one, he was named man of the match in the seasonopening victory over Hull FC. He is currently contracted to Warrington Wolves.
SCRUM-HALF - DANNY MCGUIRE:
This was the final win in Mcguire’s iconic career, playing an important role as he added another try to his record-breaking tally. Although Ryan Hall is within touching distance. Mcguire is now assistant coach at
Castleford Tigers, after leaving Hull KR in the off-season.
PROP - ROBBIE MULHERN:
The prop had established himself as a mainstay in the team by this point, having earned England honours the year before after an excellent campaign. He left for Warrington in 2021 in a swap deal that saw Luis Johnson head the other way.
He now plays for Leigh, and his form last year saw him earn an England recall.
HOOKER - CHRIS ATKIN:
A very tidy pick-up from Swinton Lions, Atkin proved very useful during his time at Craven Park. He signed for Salford the year after, and he has remained there ever since.
PROP - DAN MURRAY:
A mid-season pick-up from Salford Red Devils, Murray played regularly that year and would remain at the club for another season. He now plays in the Championship for Widnes Vikings.
SECOND-ROW - JOEL TOMKINS:
This was Tomkins’ penultimate match for Rovers before leaving for the side the Robins would defeat on this day. Captain at the time, he was granted a release on compassionate grounds before moving to France. He is now on the coaching staff at Wigan Warriors.
SECOND-ROW - WELLER HAURAKI:
The dependable back-rower was in his first season with the Robins, having joined from the relegated Widnes Vikings in the off-season.
He played 32 games during the campaign, scoring six tries. He is now retired.
LOOSE FORWARD - DEAN HADLEY:
One of only two who played in his game that remain at the club, Hadley has established himself as an integral part of Willie Peters’ side in the last two years.
BENCH - MOSE MASOE:
The big man was a firm favourite at Craven Park. This was one of his final games before his career was cut short. He suffered a career-ending spinal injury but has defied doctors orders in an inspirational fashion. He has recently been studying to become a mortgage broker.
BENCH - DANNY ADDY:
This was Addy’s final game for the club, but not a bad way to go out. He had a frustrating spell at the club, not playing at all in 2018 due to a serious knee injury. He now plays in the Championship for Featherstone Rovers.
BENCH - JEZ LITTEN:
A man who needs no introduction, the hooker is still at the club today and was given the number nine jersey in the off-season. A key player, Litten has a long future at the club.
BENCH - KYLE TROUT:
Trout had been signed midway through the season after impressing for Dewsbury Rams and would remain at the club in 2020, before departing. Trout played for Keighley Cougars last year but doesn’t appear to be playing this season.