Away Days: Giants v Catalans

As the Giants travel to France looking for an important Super League win, we take a look at the Giants recent history away in the South of France.

A trip to Perpignan in the height of summer is a fixture that Giants and Super League fans eagerly anticipate upon the fixture release day. The chance for the Cowbell Army to travel to the continent, sit back, enjoy the sun, and show off the Claret and Gold makes these away days a little more special.

But for fans of the Giants, the trip is even more special given the club's recent run of results at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium.

Since the start of the 2020 season, the Giants have travelled to Catalans six times, and of those six trips, the Giants have only lost once! That single loss, coming at the back end of the 2022 season, was made even more disappointing by the fact that it was only by a single point, thanks to a drop goal from Sam Tomkins.

Reviewing the victories since the start of 2020:

1st Feb 2020 (Round 1) - Catalans 12 v 32 Giants:

Led by Simon Woolford, the Giants got the season off to a fantastic start. Two tries from Jermaine McGillvary and 100% kicking from Aidan Sezer saw the Giants come home with a relatively simple result in the south of France. Nearly 8,500 fans watched the victory for the Giants that day, even if February wasn't quite the time of year that you want to be in the sunny south.

11th Sep 2021 (Round 24) - Catalans 18 v 30 Giants:

This match saw the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Chris McQueen and Catalans Dragons. In his first trip to France with the Giants, Chris didn't actually score, but he did end up in the sin bin, while five of his Giants teammates crossed the line for another big win in France despite strong competition from a Dragons side who that day lifted the league leaders shield...

3rd Jun 2022 (Round 14) - Catalans 14 v 22 Giants:

Wow, I remember this trip well. Lesson learnt: always wear shorts to Catalans, even if you're only going for a day. It was a sweltering day in Perpignan for the Giants lads, but players like Chris McQueen are more than used to the heat, and it showed. Two tries on the day required a lot of grit from the Giants to get over the line. They had been put under much pressure throughout the game, but every player put in a stellar performance to see the Giants take home 2 points.

8th July 2023 (Round 18) - Catalans 14 v 22 Giants:

More burnt feet on this hot summer weekend. The Giants spent more time in France preparing for this match given the high temperatures forecast, and it paid off. Chris McQueen crossed the line twice once again and held Catalans to only 2 points in the second half as Huddersfield once again asserted dominance over their French opposition in the scorching heat.

13th April 2024 (Challenge Cup Quarter Final) - Catalans 6 - 34 Giants:

And now, finally, the most recent and yet most convincing victory. The Giants headed to Catalans, as they usually do, as the underdogs. With a spot in the Challenge Cup Semi-Finals up for grabs, the Giants would have to put in an almighty performance to get the win. They did just that. Six tries from six different players, featuring fantastic scores from Esan Marsters, Seb, and Adam Swift. The Giants simply took apart Catalans that day and never looked under pressure.

This weekend, the Giants travel to France in need of another big win. Four points off the playoffs, with Catalans in 6th, provides an opportunity to close the gap and ignite the season after a disappointing run. We all want what's best for the club, so let's get behind the team, and to everyone who is in Catalans supporting in Claret and Gold, good luck and be loud and proud!