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 made an amazing 26-20 in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all three domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to end up being world champions 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-minute mark.


It appeared like Rovers, despite an unconvincing screen, were hauling their way back towards success as tries from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' charge levelled ball games.


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 approximately seventh location.


It appeared like Rovers were discovering 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 last week's Challenge Cup meeting.


That proved to be a false dawn, however, as they revealed defensive weak points, bad discipline at essential 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 despite the fact that they lost three forwards to injury, requiring the usage of their 18th guy Harvey Wilson, and after that saw influential scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had begun all right as May, in his 100th Super League appearance and betting his former club, bounced off a take on and stepped over the line.


But Catalans developed dominance and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz stretched out to touch down after being taken on 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 issue in fast succession however it did not disrupt their flow as Sexton's charge 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, but as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins began to get on top.


Oliver GIldart freed Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League attempt, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a penalty to square it up and a KR return win looked unavoidable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it appeared to be the winning moment however he unwisely tried to unload, Dragons gained back ownership and when they released one last attack teen Marc stimulated mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to score.


'Many mistakes and penalties' - reaction


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:


"We made it hard for ourselves but 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 take a look at our efficiency, so numerous mistakes and charges which put us in a bad position.


"What I took pride in was the method we fought back, we put ourselves back in the video game but at the back end we were looking for the fast fix as we desired the game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] play at the end, but throughout the video game.


"My job now is to examine it, look through it and take ownership however when you're playing, players play the game.


"They put themselves in a position to win but there was a duration where we did find some flow, hold the footy and ask some questions, and when it was time to defend our line we did. We didn't do that for long sufficient durations."


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