While Hull KR face the Catalan Dragons in Toulouse this evening (Saturday, 5pm), I can't see the game being played away from the very intimidating Stade Brutus making a huge difference to the outcome.
Unfortunately, I still expect Catalan to win on French soil, but not being at "home" could give KR a slight advantage.
Coach Craig Sandercock will point to it being a more neutral ground, which he will hope benefits his team, although Catalan are difficult enough on any pitch with the quality players at their disposal.
With nothing to lose, and written off by most (including me again), we could well see KR produce another shove-it-where-the-sun-doesn't-shine performance to prove everyone wrong.
When unfavoured, KR seem to thrive and become a very dangerous team. As a team we all know they can attack, score points and often come up with a performance which mystifies their overwhelming underdogs' tag.
However, with lots of external factors going against them – like the travel, food and temperatures – on top of having to stop a very big, physically strong Catalan group, I just believe the French side will win.
After a week-long break, let's hope we are all eating our words!Catalan's man to watch: Morgan Escare is filling the Brent Webb full-back void admirably and against Hull FC he was in fantastic form, scoring one try, assisting for another score and carrying 16 times for a total of 127 metres.
Escare is a French product which shows how far the Catalan team has come over the years. The systems adhered to over a number of years has seen them produce their own match winners, and Escare is one!
