Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on Cats.. The real deal or Work still to be done?
They've looked impressive this season, that never say die win V Saints...The 70 point Hammering of Widnes..

And i was in France over Easter where they beat us comfortably and i walked away thinking this Cats team are the real deal and are well in with a shout of the Grand Final...

Then there was last night against Leeds, i thought Leeds won in 2nd gear..... Or was it a bad night at the office for Cats? They can't blame preparation they were here all week...

I only caught the first half but for parts of that game I thought that they looked how we have looked in games this season. They had a few handling errors when they would have been clear through ( menzies and duport I think) and the game could have been different. What I did notice though was thet they just struggled to get the third man in the tackle. I have noticed with us that the tackle is almost made by 2 defenders and the third will hesitate to get involved and retreat to the line instead of making it to the tackle in time to become the third man in. Leeds did that and shows a slightly increased commitment to go in to the tackle as third man knowing that you will have to get off and retreat anyhow.
They play very similar to us and I dont think they will be far off. I dont quite think they have a lot of depth in their squad to cope with a few key players injured. Final eliminator or CC semi would be a good season for them. There is not much to choose between 6 or 7 teams at the moment which is great.

Did not see the game last night, but overall, imo, they are equal to or better than Warrington atm. Taking Leeds as the formline, you would have to say Catalans are better than us, especially considering how easily they took us apart at Easter. Definately a top 4 team come play-off time.

Still fancy Cats for a challenge cup final place this year..

Not so good in cold,wet, slippery conditions as proved last night against a very sluggish Leeds Rhinos,Both teams will improve though during the course of the season.

cardace looks like he will be the french kevin penny tho electric attack rubbish defence

I can honestly say that no team has looked impressive to me this season, & likely to run away with the league .Maybe the cap is starting to create a league of more equality .

Which Catalans players would you have ahead of ours?

Are they better than us because they have a better squad or a better coach?

At the moment would take their whole forward pack over ours excluding westwood. They need to step up a gear and lay the platform

Think they are a great side to watch take a lot of risks with the ball and have some very good players within their ranks , they are a few years off and a couple of more quality players to take the title but heading in the right direction.

They have a few who would I would love at wire , Lopina Paea , Dureau , Menzies for a year and Remi Casty always impresses me very tough young front rower.

Think they are always on the back foot straight away over here due to the amount of travelling but last night v leeds was an off night for me as they are better than that.

Not last night you wouldn't. They were never really in the game and played nothing like they did against us.

Watched the game and thought Les Cats didn't really turn up. They never pressurised Sinfield when he kicked, and the forwards were not supporting one another when they took it forward.
Having said that Leeds had the perfect game plan. They rushed the Catalan forwards before they could get into their stride and used 3/4 men in the tackle. They also moved the ball wide and exploited some weak defending on the wing.

leeds had pritty close to the first team out last night and catalan had alot of key players missing.

I don't get this business that the Catalans will always be at a massive disadvantage because of the travelling. It has never seemed to affect Brisbane Broncos or Melbourne Storm, over the years they have great away records.

I think Catalans have made the mistake of having too many 30 something players instead of investing in young lads like we do, Menzies, Raguin, Ferriol, Fisher, Greenshields, Pryce, Gossard, Fakir. They should focus on young players for the future rather than these old heads...where are their equivalents of Myler, Evans, Helliwell, Williams, Ratchford? It's investing in youth that wins you trophies we showed that in the last few years.

Whats the betting Catalans do what they usually do, have a decent season then flop in the playoffs, and follow it up with a year in the doldrums at the bottom.