Preview: Les
Catalans v Hull (Round 11)

Hull?s caretaker coach Richard Agar admits he is looking forward to relinquishing control of first-team affairs after Saturday?s trip to Catalans Dragons.

The engage Super League clash with Mick Potter?s side in Perpignan will be Agar?s fourth since taking temporary charge of the Black and Whites after John Kear?s departure.

Hull?s form has improved with back-to-back wins over Easter but Agar will be happy to step out of the spotlight when new coach Peter Sharp arrives next week.

Agar said: "People have asked me whether I have enjoyed it or not and I find it a hard question to answer.

"I have learned a few things along the way and I think there has been an improvement in the way the team are playing.

?I have made no secret of the fact that I want to carry on learning before I become a head coach and I am looking forward to Peter arriving.

"I will prepare the side as best I can to face a very good Catalans outfit before stepping into the background again."

Hull overcame Wakefield and Huddersfield over the holiday weekend after a much-improved performance in defeat by Leeds.

Agar added: "I think we played well against Leeds and have obviously done well to win the two games since.

"The atmosphere around the camp wasn?t the best when I came in, but the players have responded magnificently."

Agar, who has rested Richard Whiting for the trip to France, is also full of praise for the way the Dragons have adapted to life in Super League.

He said: "It will be a great experience to go over there. I have watched them closely and they are a vastly different outfit to the side we played in pre-season.

?I would also add they are a far better outfit than Paris St Germain were when they were in Super League. The area is geared up for rugby league and they have a tremendous structure in place."

Agar is also waiting on the fitness of scrum-half Richard Horne (pectoral injury) so 17-year-old Tommy Lee stands by for a first start of the season.

Having suffered defeat in both their Easter fixtures, Dragons boss Potter is backing his side to respond in the right manner against Hull.

Potter said: "It would be a great scalp for us to turn over the Challenge Cup holders.

"It isn?t going to be an easy task though. I have watched them and they have a few special players.

?(Nathan) Blacklock is back and he can always get a couple of tries and I really like the look of Horne.

?(Kirk) Yeaman is having a good season and he is another one I know we really have to watch as is (Jamie) Thackray.

"I have been impressed with the resilience of the players though, having come through three games in eight days and we?re in good shape ahead of the weekend."

Catalans Dragons v Hull FC, Stade Aime Giral, April 22 2006

Catalans Dragons 18-man: Beattie, Berthezene, Bosc, Chan, Cologni, Dobson, Fakir, Fellous, Guisset, Hindmarsh, Hughes, Jampy, Mounis, Murphy, Rinaldi, Rudder, Verges, Wilson.

Hull 18-man: Briscoe, Blacklock, Yeaman, Domic, R. Horne, Dowes, Swain, Carvell, Radford, McMenemy, Cooke, Tony, King, Brough, Thackray, Dixon, Hill, Washbrook.

Referee: P Bentham