Lipowicz Double 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 amazing 26-20 victory in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all three domestic trophies before beating Brisbane to become world champions last month, but the French side were exceptional as 2 shots from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.


It appeared like Rovers, regardless of an unconvincing display, were hauling their method back towards triumph as shots from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled ball games.


In a dramatic finale, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which increases them approximately seventh place.


It appeared 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 fixture and recently's Challenge Cup meeting.


That showed to be a false dawn, however, as they showed protective weak points, poor discipline at key minutes and a lack of the flair which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a routine of blowing hot and cold, were outstanding even though they lost 3 forwards to injury, forcing making use of their 18th man Harvey Wilson, and then saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had actually started all right as May, in his 100th Super League look and betting his former club, bounced off a tackle and stepped over the line.


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


The Dragons lost excellent prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and then Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle problem in fast succession however it did not interrupt their circulation 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, but as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins began to get on top.


Oliver GIldart released Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League attempt, 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 appeared to be the winning minute however he unwisely attempted to unload, Dragons restored possession and when they launched one last attack teenager Marc stimulated mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to rating.


'Many mistakes and charges' - response


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters informed BBC Radio Humberside:


"We made it hard for ourselves but you need to pay credit to Catalans. They're a gutsy group who work hard for each other and they discovered a method at the back end.


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


"What I was proud of was the way we combated back, we put ourselves back in the game but at the back end we were looking for the quick repair as we desired the game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not simply on Jack [Broadbent's] play at completion, however throughout the video game.


"My task now is to examine it, check out 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 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 male).


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