Leeds Rhinos 6 Catalans Dragons 34: Youthful Rhinos impress in spirited display against Dragons

Three days before Leeds’ Coral Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors, Rhinos fielded five debutants in the starting line-up – Liam Tindall, Jack Broadbent, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Walters and James Harrison – and had two more on the bench, Corey Hall and Loui McConnell.

Rhinos’ four substitutes had a grand total of two senior appearances between them and when acting-captain Adam Cuthbertson – who set a huge lead for Leeds’ kids to follow – went off, after 54 minutes, Leeds’ lowest squad number on the field was 20, worn by Bodene Thompson.

Naturally, there was a physical difference between the teams and Catalans made a lot of ground with simple carries, even in the opening stages.

They also had James Maloney – who was a State of Origin half-back in Australia last year – and Josh Drinkwater calling the shots and the likes of Sam Tomkins and Israel Folau to come up with occasional moments of quality.

Right-winger Tom Davies profited from that with a first-half hat-trick, but at the end of the 80 minutes the visitors knew they had been in a game.

Realistically, it was one Rhinos were never going to win, from the moment the squad was named on Monday.

The aim instead was to give some youngsters experience and be competitive.

Leeds were just that, trailing only 16-6 at half-time, which they would certainly have taken before kick-off.

Catalans added only six more points until the 76th minute and their two late touchdowns were cruel on Rhinos.

Leeds created only limited opportunities and their try was an interception, but Rhinos’ line defence was remarkable.

All Rhinos’ rookies could leave the field with head held high. In particular, Harrison – on loan from Featherstone Rovers – put himself about to good effect and O’Connor and Walters showed good signs.

East Leeds product Tindall was recently given a three-year contract and the winger is highly regarded by coach Richard Agar.

He didn’t score, but produced one of the moments of the match soon after half-time when he ran across field, stepped into a gap and beat several defenders in a brilliant 50-metre run which was halted just short of the line.

The old men in the team denied Catalans on a couple of early occasions, Cuthbertson diving on a Drinkwater kick, before Brett Ferres prevented Sam Moa getting the ball down after he had smashed his way over the line.

Moa’s pass split the defence and should have created a try for Ben Garcia, but Thompson and Callum McLelland held him up and Julian Bousquet was the third player over the Leeds whitewash, but Cuthbertson and Harrison got underneath.

It was obviously only a matter of time and Leeds finally cracked after 19 minutes, in a set from a drop out, when Drinkwater’s cut-out pass sent Davies over.

James Maloney landed the first of his five conversions.

Davies’ – second try was tough on Leeds. A big hit by Cuthbertson forced Arthur Romano to knock on and then Matt Whitley spilled McLelland’s kick close to Dragons’ line.

But Leeds were penalised for offside and at the end of the resulting set the winger got past Luke Briscoe and McLelland to touch down.

When the restart went out on the full, Rhinos seemed to be crumbling, but – remarkably – they countered to grab the next try as Rhys Evans intercepted Drinkwater’s pass a few metres out and easily held off a lone chaser on a long-range sprint.

O’Connor, a loose-forward named at hooker – tagged on the two and Leeds were only four points adrift with nine minutes until the break.

Leeds had two chances to go into the interval ahead, but Walker slipped after stepping through the first line of defence and then a desperate tackle slammed the door shut on Thompson.

Unfortunately, Ferres was penalised for obstruction and Catalans kicked Leeds in the teeth with a try on the final play of the half, Davies completed his hat-trick after Sam Tomkins had handed a kick by Maloney on to Folau.

That was an outstanding passage of rugby, but a shame for Leeds who were within a minute of trailing by only four at the interval.

Catalans were reduced to 12 early in the second period when Sam Kasiano was sin-binned following several infringements, but added another try during that spell through Fouad Yaha, off Drinkwater’s long pass.

Broadbent and O’Connor held McIlorum up over the line before Catalans finished with a flourish, Arthur Mourgue crossing from acting-half and Yaha touching down after the hooter had sounded.

Walker played the opening 40 minutes – his first appearance since suffering a fractured foot in February – before being replaced at half-time.

Evans switched to full-back, but also went off – after an hour – with a head knock, at which point Broadbent, who had been at stand-off, went to the last line of defence.

Whoever was operating the six-again siren had a busy night. Catalans received seven of those to Leeds’ five.

The penalty count was four-three to Catalans at half-time and finished 10-five in Rhinos’ favour.