Wakefield Trinity v Catalans Dragons: Chester wary of threat posed by resurgent Catalans

Chester is confident 20 points will be enough to stave off the threat of being dragged into Super League’s bottom-four and the Qualifiers.

“I know there’s still another six points to play for (after this weekend), but the teams below us would probably have to win every game,” Chester observed.

“A few things will happen before round 23, I think there’ll be a few swings, but this is a massive game and it’s important we play well.”

Sixth-placed Trinity won 
16-14 in Perpignan earlier in the season, but Catalans are up to seventh and have lost only one of their last eight league and cup games.

“They are running harder than they were at the start of the season,” warned Chester

“They are a fit team and a big team and Josh Drinkwater is a smart half with a good kicking game off the back of their forward pack.

“We have done our homework on them, but we’ve done more stuff on what we’ve been doing well the last couple of weeks.”

Trinity were pipped 34-30 at table-topping St Helens last week, a performance which has boosted their confidence, according to Chester.

He said: “We got beaten by four points, but having spoken to (referees’ boss) Steve Ganson, there was an 18-point swing.

“There should have been a penalty try to Batch (James Batchelor) in the first half, there was a clear double-movement and a try should have been chalked off for an obstruction on Matty Ashurst on their kick try.

“We get one of those calls, we win the game. That’s the frustrating thing as a coach, I can cope with (officials) getting one call wrong, but when it’s three that’s a different level. But we definitely showed plenty of character and plenty of spirit.”

Justin Horo is back in contention for Trinity this week in place of Batchelor (head injury). Sam Moa could return for Catalans.

Wakefield Trinity: from Annakin, Arona, Ashurst, Caton-Brown, England, Fifita, Finn, Hampshire, Hirst, Horo, Johnstone, Jones-Bishop, Jowitt, Lyne, Miller, Pauli, Randell, Tupou, Wood.

Catalans Dragons: from Mead, Wiliame, Yaha, Langi, Casty, Moa, Anderson, Garcia, Bird, Bousquet, Simon, Baitieri, McIlorum, Tierney, Jullien, Gigot, Goudemand, Drinkwater, Edwards.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield). Kick-off: Today, 6.30pm.