Eagles catch hosts out early to earn success

Alex Szostak got the visitors in front after eight minutes with the opening try and a few minutes later centre Scott Turner crossed for their second with Brown converting both and, at 12-0, Sheffield were already comfortably in the box seat.

Fijian forward Osea Sadrau went over for the home side on a rare foray up front, but the Eagles pair of Simon Brown and Dominic Brambani were organising play expertly in midfield off building off a prominent pack display.

Yere raced away for a try after being released by hooker Pat Smith and then the speedy Laulu-Togagae grabbed Sheffield’s fourth try as half-time approached.

Yere and Laulu-Togagae both recorded further tries after the break to confirm the South Yorkshire side’s superiority with Brambani also joining in to make it seven.

The latter landed two conversions and Brown four before Amar Sabri got a converted consolation try for the home side just on the final hooter.

Eagles assistant coach David Larder said afterwards: “I thought the opposition looked like they’d just finished their season and it may have been a game too much for them.

“No doubt they’ve been celebrating a bit too much after their successes and not prepared for this game as much as they would have done during the season. And I can understand that.”

Carcassonne: Guiraud, Escamilla, Stuart Reardon, Barrau, Mazard, Aïtken, Alberola, Bemba, Soum, Sadrau, Pau, Rastouil, Sabri. Substitutes: Delpech, Nicol, Canet, Peault.

Sheffield Eagles: Laulu-Togagae, Finnigan, Turner, Yere, Morrison, Brown, Brambani, Hepworth, Smith, Stringer, Szostak, Scott, Taulapapa. Substitutes: Walmsley, Sanders, Latus, Rowe.

Referee: S Vincent (RFL).