Wakefield Trinity kick off their 2023 campaign against French giants

Wakefield kick-off their 2023 season by welcoming Catalans Dragons to Belle View, and it promises to be a tasty affair.

Catalans emerged victorious both times the teams met last season. In February 2022, they won 24-22, and in August they won 16-20. Both fixtures were very hotly contested, and this Friday should be no exception.

It is vital that both teams get their season off to a great start. Wakefield will be looking to take a scalp against of one of the league’s best to silence the talk of relegation. Last year, Wakefield were rooted to the bottom of the table, but a great string of results took them up to tenth. Consistency was a big part of their run of form at the end, and will be relishing the chance to beat Catalans in round one.

Catalans have a very different target this year. After a disappointing 2022 campaign that saw them knocked out of the play-offs against Leeds, they are looking to compete for silverware again this season and return to the Grand Final, and a win against Wakefield would be the perfect way to start. It will provide them with a platform to build a strong season, whilst also providing them with confidence for the year ahead.

In team news, Wakefield are set to give new signings Renouf Atoni, Kevin Proctor and former Dragon Samisoni Langi their Super League debuts for the club, as all are named in the 21-man squad.

Star winger Lewis Murphy is also named in the squad despite heavy links to NRL side Sydney Roosters. He comes into 2023 after notching 19 tries in 21 Super League games last season and will be looking to replicate these numbers again.

Catalans have named a strong side ahead of their visit to Belle View, including new arrivals Siosiua Teukeiaho, Manu Ma’u and former Trinity player Tom Johnstone, who are all in line to make their full debut on Friday. A notable omission is star player Sam Tompkins. He is the lynchpin of the Dragons team, and will be missed massively.

Wakefield 21-man squad

Max Jowitt, Jorge Taufua, Corey Hall, Reece Lyne, Tom Lineham, Lee Gaskell, Mason Lino, Eddie Battye, Jai Whitbread, Matty Ashurst, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jay Pitts, Liam Kay, Renouf Atoni, Lee Kershaw, Kevin Proctor, Morgan Smith, Samisoni Langi, Rob Butler, Lewis Murphy, Sam Eseh.

Catalans Dragons 21-man squad

Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Adam Keighran, Matthieu Laguerre, Mitchell Pearce, Micky McIlorum, Julian Bousquet, Matt Whitley, Paul Seguier, Benjamin Garcia, Mickael Goudemand, Romain Navarrete, César Rougé, Tiaki Chan, Siosiua Teukeiaho, Jordan Dezaria, Tom Johnstone, Bastien Scimone, Manu Ma’u, Ugo Tison, Tanguy Zenon.

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