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The Londoners’ Super League return has been a baptism of fire, with defeat by last season’s runners-up following a heavy season-opening loss to the 10-time Super League champions St Helens – and just Robbie Storey’s try in two matches to show for their efforts.
Video referee reviews twice overturned Catalans tries, but they only served to limit the first-half damage as the big-spending Dragons handed the newcomers a clinical reminder of the step up to the top table.
With Plough Lane hosting Super League rugby for the first time since the Broncos’ 2022 move, the hosts made the worst possible start to the big occasion.
Lee Kershaw made a hash of a high kick from Catalans’ first possession, gifting the visitors a second set of six which allowed Fages to cross after a neat show and go. Soon after, Sims spun out of a tackle to crash over and reward relentless Dragons momentum.
Second row Sadiq Adebiyi’s crunching tackle on Bayley Sironen forced a knock-on and brought the Broncos to life, but they failed to add the finishing touches from promising positions.
In contrast, the Dragons were ruthless, returning skipper Ben Garcia’s brutal drive to within a few metres of the line laying the groundwork for Fages to step inside a gap for his second score.
The Broncos improved as the half wore on, but needed sterling work from Jacob Jones to hold up Alrix da Costa and then Chris Satae over the line to prevent the Dragons disappearing over the horizon before half-time.
Another bruising Garcia carry earned the field position which got the Catalans ball rolling after the break, before Jordan Abdull’s pass did the rest, opening a gap for Sims to glide through.
Dean Parata did superbly to hold up Garcia, but the exertion began to tell as replacement half-back Nikorima barged between the posts to build a 28-0 platform going into the final 20 minutes.
A young Broncos side showed plenty of heart and flashes of promise to give some encouragement to their biggest home crowd since 2013 – when they played at The Stoop.
However, the Dragons did not need to find top gear to win at a canter as they begin their pursuit of a third Grand Final in four seasons.
Steve McNamara’s side capped an efficient display with a sixth try – five of them improved by Arthur Mourgue – when a simple feint allowed Bousquet an easy finish under the posts.
Catalans Dragons boss Steve McNamara:
“I thought the start of the match was the best part of our game tonight.
“I thought we came out with real intent and physicality with and without the ball. I thought we were really disciplined at the start, even though I feel like that did drop off in the back end of the first half.
“We knew coming to London that it was a big game for them and it could have been a hard night if we didn’t get the start of the game right, so we are really pleased with that.
“It was greasy out there, especially with some kicks in the first half. We managed to keep our try-line intact so it’s a big effort from us.”
London: Leyland, Kershaw, Storey, Miloudi, Macani, Campagnolo, Meadows, Butler, Davis, Kennedy, Lovell (capt), Adebiyi, Parata.
Interchanges: Jones, Stock, Williams, Bassett.
Catalans: Mourgue, Johnstone, Romano, Ikuvalu, Yaha, Abdull, Fages, Navarette, Da Costa, Bousquet, Sims, Sironen, Garcia.
Interchanges: McMeeken, Nikorima, Satae, Dezaria.
Referee: Tom Grant.
