Preview: Les
Catalans v Castleford (Round 8)

Catalans Dragons play at their third different venue in as many weeks when they take on Castleford in Carcassonne on Saturday evening.

The Dragons hosted Salford at Perpignan?s Stade Aime Giral a fortnight ago, played last week?s Challenge Cup-tie against Thornhill at neighbouring Stade Jean Laffon and have switched Saturday?s Super League fixture from the Spanish town of Figures to Stade Albert Domec.

?I haven?t been there but virtually all the players have played there so it shouldn?t be a problem,? said coach Mick Potter.

?Being at Carcassone, it?s still home advantage and hopefully having the crowd behind us might help us pull through.?

Potter, appointed a month into the season, is in his fourth week with the Super League newcomers and believes he is making progress.

The Catalans conceded 108 points in consecutive home defeats by Bradford and Leeds but, since Potter?s arrival have broken their away duck at Warrington and lost by just six points at home to Salford.

?They?re very keen to do well,? said the 43-year-old Australian. ?There?s a lot of doubters out there and there?s always a bit of an incentive when people doubt your ability.

?I don?t know if you try harder but it gives you that steeliness that you need to compete in games.

?Skill wise, there?s still some work to do, although some of the French players have got that flamboyance that you like. It can turn a game for you but can also break your heart.

?Sometimes it can get you out of trouble but sometimes it gets you in more trouble. It?s a matter of finding the right balance but they?re very receptive.?

Castleford will be looking to complete the double following their 34-28 win at the Jungle in February but coach Terry Matterson knows they are a tougher prospect now.

?I was impressed with Catalans in their last two Super League performances,? said Matterson, who has rejoined the team after making a brief return to Australia for personal reasons.

?They were unlucky against Salford and had a good win at Warrington. They?ve shown that they?re a bit more resolute than they were at the start of the year.?

Catalans Dragons v Castleford Tigers, Stade Albert Domec, Saturday April 8 2006

Catalans Dragons 20-man squad: Beattie, Berthezene, Dobson, Bosc, Chan, Frayssinous, Fakir, Fellous, Guigue, Guisset, Hindmarsh, Hughes, Mounis, Murphy, Rinaldi, Rudder, Teixido, Touxagas, Verges, Wilson.

Castleford 20-man squad: Platt, Pryce, Shenton, Dyer, Handforth, Kain, Henderson, Nutley, Haughey, Roarty, Bird, Whitaker, Fletcher, Viane, Fa?aoso, Manu, McGoldrick, Edwards, Knowles, Ward.

Referee: R Silverwood