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 third defeat in their opening four games as Catalans Dragons earned an exceptional 26-20 victory in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic trophies before beating Brisbane Broncos to become world champs last month, but the French side were remarkable as two shots from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60.


It appeared like Rovers, despite an unconvincing display, were hauling their way back towards triumph as shots from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' charge levelled the ratings.


In a remarkable ending, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which boosts them up to seventh place.


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


That proved to be an incorrect dawn, nevertheless, as they showed defensive weak points, poor discipline at essential moments and an absence of the flair which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a habit of blowing hot and cold, were superb even though they lost three forwards to injury, forcing using their 18th guy Harvey Wilson, and then 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 deal with and stepped over the line.


But Catalans established dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended out to touch down after being dealt with short of the line.


The Dragons lost outstanding prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and after that Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle issue in quick succession however it did not disrupt their flow as Sexton's penalty 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 try, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR resurgence win looked unavoidable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the winning minute but he unwisely tried to offload, Dragons regained possession and when they introduced one last attack teen Marc sparked mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.


'Numerous mistakes and penalties' - response


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:


"We made it hard for ourselves however you need 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 look at our efficiency, simply so many errors and charges which put us in a bad position.


"What I was happy of was the way we resisted, we put ourselves back in the game however at the back end we were trying to find the fast repair as we desired the video game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into completion, however throughout the game.


"My job now is to examine it, check out it and take ownership but when you're playing, players play the game.


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