Catalans Dragons v Hull FC: Bowden looking for French tonic to remedy Hull's troubles
They are in Perpignan today seeking a winning return and avoiding a third successive loss.
Hull actually beat Catalans Dragons 62-0 in the Challenge Cup barely a fortnight ago, a result that went a long way to Laurent Frayssinous’s eventual sacking as the French club’s coach.
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Hide AdHowever, since then, the East Yorkshire club have been vanquished themselves 45-0 by St Helens at Magic Weekend and then saw Leigh Centurions – who had lost their last nine matches – defeat them 26-22 at KCOM Stadium on Friday.
Lee Radford’s side have dropped to fourth and could slip out of the top-four altogether if they fail to win in France and improving Wakefield Trinity avoid defeat at Wigan Warriors.
Prop Bowden conceded: “It was very frustrating against Leigh.
“We talked at half-time about how we hadn’t started as we should have done and that came up to bite us as the end as I thought we finished well, better than them.
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Hide Ad“Radders asked for a response after Magic and I think he got that in some kind of way.
“But it’s just frustrating that we didn’t get the result. We need to get one soon.
“Sometimes we panicked with the ball trying to chase the scoreline. Sometimes pushing the pass, balls get dropped but we need to learn from that.
“Obviously we have no time to dwell on it; we go to Catalans now and all eyes are on that. We need to be better in all aspects.”
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Hide AdMoreover, Hull will now be without influential half-back Marc Sneyd for a lengthy period with a foot injury but captain Gareth Ellis could return from a sternum problem after being named in the 19-man squad.
Winger Fetuli Talanoa is due to make his return, too, having not been risked against Leigh, but Mahe Fonua and Scott Taylor remain sidelined.
Utility Jordan Thompson is ill but young centre Nick Rawsthorne, who debuted against Leigh, could feature again.
Catalans see former Australia back-row Greg Bird return from suspension while Arthur Romano replaces Brayden Wiliame in their 19-man squad.
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Hide AdObviously, both sides have a short turnaround – Catalans lost 50-12 at Salford on Friday in their first game since Frayssinous’s departure – and Bowden’s views on this ‘second Easter’ are clear.
He said: “I think I’m the same as every other player; it’s not right for the body and I don’t think it’s right for the sport as different teams will get advantages.
“I know games have been called off (Huddersfield v St Helens have rearranged today’s game).
“But obviously between the ears it’s hard and on the body it feels tough to do as well.
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Hide Ad“In France, we need to hold the ball better and complete our sets especially that first half.
“We didn’t complete when Leigh did. It comes up on you as you’re knackered and it’s a big momentum chance when you’re ‘d’-ing all the time.
“Leigh took advantage of that and got away with the win.”