MICHAEL Dobson believes playing Catalan away from the caldron of the Stade Gilbert Brutus will give Hull KR an advantage this weekend.
Rovers take on the Dragons at the Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse on Saturday as the French side look to promote rugby league outside of their Perpignan base.
Toulouse is a staunch rugby union region with the Top 14 side boasting a record four Heineken Cup titles.
Playing away from Perpignan means the Dragons will have to travel 100 miles from their own ground, which is one of the most vociferous atmospheres in Super League.
And Dobson feels that can give the Robins an advantage over Laurent Frayssinous' side.
"The good thing for us is that we are playing them away from their normal ground," he told the Mail.
"That means they have to travel as well so, hopefully, that will give us a bit of an advantage.
"It will still be a tough game for us though.
"Catalan have been playing well and they beat Hull pretty easily the last time they played in Perpignan."
Rovers go into Saturday's encounter in good form, winning three of their last four matches before the break for the international game between England and the Exiles.
While the rest of the squad were putting their feet up last weekend, Dobson was in the Exiles team which lost 30-10, alongside fellow Robins Travis Burns and Mickey Paea.
Fully-fit and ready for the final eight rounds, Dobson feels the rest came at a good time for KR's players to recover from any knocks.
"The break will have helped us," said the Rovers skipper.
"The rest of the squad have been able to recharge their batteries.
"Hopefully, we can come back from the break in the same form we were in beforehand.
"We need to improve in a few areas, but if we do that we should be okay."
If Rovers are to return from Toulouse with the two points, Dobson and Burns are going to have to play well.
On the back of their appearance for the Exiles, Dobson feels the extra game can benefit the Robins as they look to cement their place in the top eight.
"There are certainly little bits here and there that I can take into training this week," he added despite seeing the result fail to go their way.
"It's more personal stuff about how to prepare and how the older players and established leaders lead their teams.
"It was good to see how other great players prepare for games.
"Last week was a great week with the Exiles and it's something I'll treasure.
"I was obviously disappointed to have lost the game, but the bonding side was very good."
