Hull will not be bullied again, insists Gentle

The East Yorkshire club are in action in Perpignan this evening with painful memories of their last visit still fresh.

Hull were vanquished 44-14 last July in a performance that still rankles with Gentle.

Admittedly, the Airlie Birds are currently a much stronger and resolute outfit as their recent form suggests.

They defeated Super League champions Leeds Rhinos last Friday having also won at Challenge Cup holders Warrington as part of a run that has seen them secure nine victories from their last 10 outings.

That also included a 28-8 home success over Catalan although today’s opponents have identical records this term, level on 20 points with both having delivered nine wins and two draws as they strive for top-four finishes.

“Catalan are similar to us, not just on the table, but the strength in their forwards and the speed in their backs,” explained Gentle. “They are very physical at home, not so much on the road. We were guilty of being manhandled when we went there last year and we haven’t forgotten that.

“It is something we’ve addressed. We responded well when they came over and we need to take that on the road with us.

“If we can match Catalan, or even better get on top of their forwards, it will allow our backs to shine.

“It hasn’t gone unnoticed with our forwards the job they have to do this weekend; we need to be ruthless and disciplined in everything we do.”

There is every suggestion that the Hull pack will successfully complete that challenge given the impressive form of tyro prop Chris Green, England second-row Gareth Ellis and versatile Richard Whiting though Gentle remains acutely aware of the nuances the cross-Channel trip brings.

“Part of the difficulty of this game is that you can fall into holiday mode,” added the Australian, something he will be even more keen to avoid when the sides meet in France again for a Challenge Cup quarter-final next month.

“You (can feel you) are going away for a few days for a bit of sunshine... we have a swimming pool and we are staying on a resort.

“But we are here to do a job, we are not here to get a suntan and I’ve told the players that.

“We’ve spoken about it and we are coming here for the right reasons.”

Undoubtedly, a league double over Catalan will be further proof of Hull’s rising stock while the strength of their squad continues to impress.