Hull FC v Catalans Dragons: Key battles in Super League clash
Thursday 23 February 2017 23:50, UK
Three key battles in Thursday night's clash at KCOM Stadium as Hull FC host the Dragons, live on Sky Sports 2.
Jamie Shaul v Brayden Wiliame
For Jamie Shaul, he will be out to prove he is not a one-season wonder. He's finally earned England recognition after being named in Wayne Bennett's elite training squad after missing out on Four Nations selection in the autumn.
Shaul was Hull's joint-second top scorer last year, crossing 14 times, but he proved dangerous with ball in hand all over the field, making 3057m at an average gain of 9.07m a drive - the best in both categories for the Airlie Birds.
Shaul's broken-field running makes him a dangerous prospect for any side to defend against, especially if the kicking is loose. The pitch at Wakefield on the opening weekend didn't really suit Shaul's style. Will he hit the ground running at the KC Stadium on Thursday night?
The Catalans have a new face at full-back for the time being. And what a start new signing Brayden Wiliame made in the south of France. His last-minute try put the icing on an impressive opening-weekend win over Warrington.
Signed from the Manly Sea Eagles in the off-season, Wiliame will be looking to make his mark early in Super League, having signed at an important, and early, stage of his career. A Fiji international, he'll fill in at the back for the suspended Tony Gigot.
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He started well against the Wolves, returning the ball with an average gain of 7.17m a drive and achieving four tackle busts, the most of any team-mate. Will he build on that performance on Thursday night and give Laurent Frayssinous something to think about selection-wise?
Marc Sneyd v Richie Myler
February's Super League games are often attritional affairs, so expect the half-backs to play a key role in earning important field position.
It's been a pleasing start to 2017 for Marc Sneyd. Influential in the opening-round win over Wakefield, he also signed a contract extension, keeping him in the Black and White until 2019. An important part of Hull FC's Challenge Cup winning side, Lee Radford has already backed him to continue to improve and gain international recognition.
The 2016 Lance Todd Trophy winner had the highest goal conversion of any kicker in Super League last season, and he certainly stuck the boot into Wakefield. Four goals and a kick assist for Jake Connor's try ensured FC started the season with a tough win in difficult conditions.
Will Sneyd step things up again and provide the moments of magic against the Dragons with half-back partner Albert Kelly suspended?
Catalans will be looking for more from Richie Myler in 2017. He enjoyed a solid first season in the south of France without ever setting the attack alight. The half-back did provide 15 try assists, though, the second most behind Todd Carney.
Carney has moved onto to pastures new, and Myler will now be paired with former St Helens man Luke Walsh. It's a combination that could really fire the Dragons up the table.
There were promising signs in that opening game against Warrington, with Myler scoring once against his former side and setting up another as he impressed in round one. Frayssinous will need Myler and Walsh to establish a partnership quickly, as the Dragons aim to improve on last year's disappointing finish.
Gareth Ellis v Greg Bird
In the loose forward position are one of Super League's greatest competitors up against potentially the best off-season recruit from the NRL.
What a 2016 Gareth Ellis enjoyed. He rolled back the years to earn a Man of Steel nomination, only losing out to team-mate Danny Houghton, and also lifted the Challenge Cup to end Hull FC's trophy drought.
What you see is what you get with Ellis - sheer hard work. Round one and Ellis was already racking up the statistics; 29 tackles, 76 metres made at an average of 7.60m-a-drive from 10 carries, busting three tackles in the process.
Lee Radford must hope Ellis will carry on forever. He'll have his work cut out against a dynamic Catalans pack, but expect Ellis to be leading the way. Is 2017 the year he leads his troops all the way to Old Trafford and finally helps the Airlie Birds get their hands on the Grand Final winners' rings?
Opposite Ellis is a big name in Super League, and Greg Bird didn't disappoint on his return to the competition. He crossed for an important try and made a remarkable 168 metres - 74 more than any other team-mate - at an average of 7.30m per drive. Throw in 25 tackles, three tackle busts and two offloads and you can see why the Dragons are expecting big things in 2017 with Bird at the helm.
A World Cup winner and a State of Origin veteran, Bird is the sort of player Super League needs to see more of from the NRL, a player who's been there, done that and got the t-shirt.
But will he deliver the sort of campaign that will fire the Dragons towards a first trophy? We might have more of an idea after Thursday night how strong they'll be.
