Dragons v Hull: Teams
Dragons playmaker Thomas Bosc is set to return from an eight-month injury lay-off against Hull.
Last Updated: 15/04/11 4:45pm
Catalans Dragons stand-off Thomas Bosc is set to return from an eight-month lay-off in Saturday's engage Super League match against Hull.
A ruptured patella tendon brought a premature end to Bosc's 2010 season but he has now recovered sufficiently to be named in the Dragons' 19-man squad for the Stade Gilbert Brutus showdown.
Bosc resumed full training in mid-February and has proved his fitness in the club's last two reserve fixtures, including an 80-minute performance against Carpentras last weekend.
"I did a test on Monday, flexing and extending the knee," he said. "I had only 10-20 percent deficit in terms of force, compared to 30 percent last week, and the muscle is one to two centimetres smaller in comparison with the other leg, compared to seven in my first session.
Green light
"The surgeon, therefore, gave me the green light to resume Super League matches.
"I have put my hand up for a place this Saturday. The team is in great shape and full of confidence following our two recent victories against the championship's big guns Wigan and Warrington so I need to be able to get to that level pretty quickly."
Fresh from their shock away wins over Warrington and Wigan, the Dragons are now aiming their first home win of the season.
Hull, meanwhile, have dropped winger Will Sharp, their close-season signing from Harlequins, and brought in youngster Reece Lyne.
Prop Sam Moa has been included despite concerns over a foot injury, with Danny Washbrook added to the squad.
New signing Martin Gleeson has not been registered in time to make his debut.
The Black and Whites' record in the south of France is excellent with four wins in five visits.
"We find it enjoyable," said Hull coach Richard Agar. "In the five or six years we've been going, we've been beaten once out there.
"We always utilise the trip. I feel it's a great opportunity to bring the squad together in a sort of mini camp."
Catalan squad: Blanch, Farrar, Sa, Stacul, Bosc, Dureau, Ferriol, Henderson, Casty, Menzies, Raguin, Mounis, Baile, Vaccari, Simon, Martins, Baitieri, Pelissier, Pala
Hull squad: Briscoe, Dowes, Fitzgibbon, Horne, Houghton, Lauaki, Lyne, Manu, Moa, Obst , O'Meley, Phelps, Radford, Tickle, Turner, Washbrook, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman