A decade of Catalans v Warriors

Over the past decade, Wigan have made the trip to the south of France 11 times, including one play-off clash.

Here, Tom McCooey looks back on a decade of history.

February 11, 2006

Catalans 38

Wigan Warriors 30

A venture into the unknown, Wigan were the first side to face the Dragons in Super League on February 11, 2006.

Warriors fans lined the street by the canal in Perpignan, drinking the place dry and expecting a bright new era under coach Ian Millward.

It only took a minute for Mark Hughes to put Catalans in front but by the time Iafeta Paleaaesina crashed over to put Wigan in front after 10 minutes, there was a feeling Warriors would be alright.

How wrong everyone was - looking at the game and the rest of the season.

Catalans: Laurent Frayssinous; Justin Murphy, Teddy Sadaoui, John Wilson, Mark Hughes; Sean Rudder, Stacey Jones; Chris Beattie, Julien Rinaldi, Adel Fellous, Jerome Guisset, Jamal Fakir; Ian Hindmarsh

Subs: Renaud Guigue, Pascal jampy, Gregory Mounis, Alex Chan

Warriors: Chris Ashton; Mark Calderwood, Pat Richards, David Vaealiki, Brett Dallas; Joel Tomkins, Dennis Moran; Scott Logan, Mick Higham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Harrison Hansen, Danny Tickle; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Danny Orr, Kevin Brown, Jerry Seuseu, Wayne Godwin

February 17, 2007

Catalans 16 Wigan Warriors 18

It was debated long into the post-match fan party whether or not this game should have been played. It certainly more closely resembled water polo than rugby league at times.

The fact the 7,052 crowd is the lowest for a Wigan/Catalans game in Perpignan suggests locals stayed away to watch the game on TV.

At 16-12 down with eight minutes to go, it looked as if Warriors would have to wait another year for a first Super League win away to the Dragons.

But Sean O’Loughlin went over with moments to spare - earning a win which some think wasn’t deserved.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields; Justin Murphy, Vincent Duport, Adam mogg, Dimitri Pelo; Casey McGuire, John Wilson; Adel Fellous, Aaron Gorrell, Jerome Guisset, Alex Chan, Jason Croker; Gregory Mounis

Subs: David Ferriol, Lionel Teixido, Cyril Gossard, Remi Casty

Warriors: Chris Ashton; Mark Calderwood, Phil bailey, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards; Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Shane Millard, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock< Bryan Fletcher; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Michael Withers, Mick Higham, Harrison Hansen, Eamon O’Carroll

June 14, 2008

Catalans 45

Wigan Warriors 38

Finally Wigan fans got the summer trip to Catalans they craved - and they got the heat that came with it!

Wigan led the high-scoring clash 18-14 at the break but were 32-20 down on the hour.

Fans got their first glimpse of Cameron Phelps, who helped himself to a try on his debut, but the overriding memory for traveling supporters was the fact their team scored six tries in a game they failed to take anything from.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields: Cyril Stacul, John Wilson, Sebastien Raguin, Dimitri Pelo; Adam, Mogg, Thomas Bosc; Alex Chan, Casey McGuire, Jerome Guisset, Jason Croker, Gregory Mounis; Dane Carlaw

Subs: Oliver Elima, Vincent Duport, Jamal Fakir, Remi Casty

Warriors: Richard Mathers; Liam Colbon, Cameron Phelps, George Carmont, Pat Richards; Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Micky Higham, Andy Coley, Gareth Hock, Phil Bailey; Harrison Hansen

Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Michael McIlorum, Paul Prescott, Joel Tomkins

September 20, 2008

Elimination play-off

Catalans 26

Wigan Warriors 50

Wigan’s biggest win at Catalans and probably the most satisfying.

After a couple of lean years, Wigan made the play-offs after a two-year absence in 2007 and the following year were better-placed to make an impact from a fourth-placed finish.

Despite the scores being locked at 20-20 with half an hour to go, Wigan rallied to record a big win and reach within 80 minutes of a Grand Final.

Leeds ended Wigan’s hopes the following week.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields: Justin Murphy, John Wilson, Sebastien Raguin, Dimitri Pelo; Adam, Mogg, Thomas Bosc; Alex Chan, Casey McGuire, Olivier Elima, Jason Croker,Jamal Fakir; Dane Carlaw

Subs: Jerome Guisset, Vincent Duport, Remi Casty, Jean-Philippe Baile

Warriors: Richard Mathers; Mark Calderwood, Cameron Phelps, George Carmont, Pat Richards; Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Micky Higham, Harrison Hansen, , Phil Bailey; Joel Tomkins

Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Eamon O’Carroll, Tim Smith

April 13, 2009

Catalans 40

Wigan Warriors 24

The fact Wigan sat ninth in the table with three wins from their opening 10 games after this result shows how the team were performing at the time.

Tries from Shaun Ainscough, Amos Roberts and Martin Gleeson saw Wigan lead 14-4 after 20 minutes - but a collapse ensured that, on the pitch at least, Wigan’s hard-times in the south of France continued.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields; Vincent Duport, Steven Bell, Jean-Philippe Baile, Dimitri Pelo; Greg Bird, Thomas Bosc; Jason Ryles, Casey McGuire, Jerome Guisset, Jason Croker, Oliver Elmia; Dane Carlaw

Subs: David Ferriol, Gregory Mounis, Kane Bentley, Remi Casty

Warriors: Pat Richards; Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, Karl Pryce, Shaun Ainscough; Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Andy Coley, Harrison Hansen, Phil Bailey; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Joel Tomkins, Michael McIlorum, Paul Prescott

July 4, 2010

Catalans 16 Wigan Warriors 34

Something changed at Wigan in 2010 at this commanding performance away to the Dragons reflected the mood at the time.

Warriors were four points clear at the top of the table after this result, which was wrapped-up with 20 minutes to go and Wigan 30-0 in front.

The only down side was a red card to Andy Coley for a high tackle, which allowed the Dragons to take advantage of their extra-man and add some respectability to the score.

Warriors fans who made the trip also got to see Mark Riddell’s last try for the club.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields; Frederic Vaccari, Dane Carlaw, Sebastien Raguin, Cyril Stacul; Thomas Bosc, Brent Sherwin; RemI Casty, Casey McGuire, Jerome Guisset, Olivier Elima, Cyrille Gossard; Dallas Johnson

Subs: William Barthau, Jamal Fakir, Michael Simon, Andrew Bentley

Warriors: Sam Tomkins; DarrelL Goulding, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards: Paul Deacon, Thomas Leuluai; Andy Coley, Michael McIlorum, PauL Prescott, Chris Tuson, Joel Tomkins; Liam Farrell

Subs: Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Harrison Hansen, Lee Mossop

June 4, 2011

Catalans 20 Wigan Warriors 12

Despite the close-fought score, Wigan’s performance was pretty flat in a game they never led.

Sam Tomkins scored twice to bring Wigan level each time - but his 33rd-minute try was the last time Wigan would trouble the scoreboard.

Daryl Millard’s second try with 10 minutes to go was enough to secure the win.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields; Damien Blanch, Jean-Philippe Baile, Daryl Millard, Frederic Vaccari, Setaimata Sa; Scott Dureau; David Ferriol, Ian Henderson, Jason Baitieri, Sebastien Raguin, Lopini Paea; Gregory Mounis

Subs: Steve Menzies, Michael Simon, Jamal Fakir, Eloi Pelissier

Warriors: Sam Tomkins; Josh Charnley, Joel Tomkins, George Carmont, Pat Richards; Paul Deacon, Brett Finch; Paul Prescott, Thomas Leuluai, Lee Mossop, Ryan Hoffman; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Michael McIlorum, Jeff Lima, Liam Farrell, Chris Tuson

June 9, 2012

Catalans 14

Wigan Warriors 36

Despire seeing Gil Dudson sin-binned early on, Wigan were always in control, scoring seven tries.

Catalans: Clint Greenshields; Damian Blanch, Vincent Duport, Setaimata Sa, Daryl Millard; Leon Pryce, Scott Deureau; David Ferriol, Ian henderson, Remi Casty, Steve Menzies, Louis Anderson; Jason Baitieri

Subs: Gregory Mounis, Sebastien Raguin, Lopini Paea, Ben Fisher

Warriors: Sam Tomkins; Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding, George Carmont, Anthony Gelling; Brett Finch, Thomas Leuluai; Gil Dudson, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Liam Farrell, Chris Tuson; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Jeff Lima, Epalahame Lauaki, Jack Hughes, Logan Tomkins

August 17, 2013

Catalans 22

Wigan Warriors 8

A first half try from Soctt Taylor was all Wigan had to show for a game which came a week before Wembley.

But Wigan made amends in the Cup Final, beating Hull 16-0.

Catalans: Brent Webb; Damien Blanch, Vincent Duport, Steve Menzies, Frederic Vaccari; Leon Pryce, Thomas Bosc; Olivier Elima, Ian Henderson, Julian Bousquet, Kevin Larroyer, Elliot Whitehead; Gregory Mounis

Subs: Antoni Maria, Eloi Pelissier, Jamal Fakir, Lopini Paea

Warriors: Sam Tomkins; Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Iain Thornley, Pat Richards; Blake Green, Matty Smith; Gil Dudson, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Harrison Hansen, Liam Farrell; Jack Hughes

Subs: Ben Flower, Chris Tuson, Scott Taylor, Logan Tomkins

July 12, 2014

Catalans 16 Wigan Warriors 37

At 10-6 down after 20 minutes, it looked as if it would another trip to France to forget for Wigan.

But a double from Matty Bowen and a Josh Charnley try supplemented Tony Clubb’s opener to put Wigan 24-10 ahead by the break.

Vincent Duport and Benjamin Garcia found themselves in the sin bin after the break and Scott Taylor and Joe Burgess took advantage, with a Matty Smith drop-goal boosting Wigan’s advantage to 37-10 before the Dragons scored a final try through Damian Cardace.

Catalans: Morgan Escare; Damian Cardace, Ben Pomeroy, Vincent Duport, Michael Oldfield; Leon Pryce, Sam Williams; Olivier Elima, Ian Henderson, Jeff Lima, Zeb Taia, Elliot Whitehead; Jason Baitieri

Subs: Louis Anderson, Gregory Mounis, Eloi Pelissier, Benjamin Garcia

Warriors: Matty Bowen; Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; George Williams, Matty Smith; Dom Crosby, Sam Powell, Tony Clubb, John Bateman, Liam Farrell; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Scott Taylor, Jack Hughes, Greg Burke, Eddy Pettybourne

May 23, 2015

Catalans 58 Wigan Warriors 16

The one to really forget.

Josh Charnley put Wigan in front after six minutes but from then on it was a nightmare.

The Dragons scored 10 tries in a rout which Warriors really had little answer to.

To make matters worse, the defeat came just a week after Wigan had suffered a shock Challenge Cup exit to Hull KR.

But there were happier times ahead. Wigan faced Leeds at Magic Weekend the following week and won 27-12.

Catalans: Morgan Escare; Michael Oldfield, Tony Gigot, Willie Tonga, Fouad Yaha; Todd Carney, Scott Dureau; Olivier Elima, Ian Henderson, Remi Casty, Zeb Taia, Elliot Whitehead, Jason Baitieri

Subs: Louis Anderson, Gregory Mounis, Eloi Pelissier, Julian Bousquet

Warriors: Matty Bowen; Josh Charnley, Joel Tomkins, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; Sam Powell, Matty Smith; Dom Crosby, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, John Bateman, Larne Patrick; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: George Williams, Taulima Tautai, Ryan Sutton, Rhodri Lloyd