Catalans v Widnes preview
Widnes head coach Denis Betts believes Catalans Dragons are starting to find consistency after failing to live up to expectations in recent years.
The Dragons currently sit fourth in the Super League table after eight rounds and head into Saturday's home clash with the Vikings, live on Sky Sports 2 HD, on the back of successive wins over Huddersfield, Salford and Castleford.
Catalans have only reached one final - the 2007 Challenge Cup final - since joining Super League 10 years ago, but Betts has been impressed by their latest batch of high-profile overseas recruits.
"Taking Richie Myler over there to play with (Todd) Carney is a good combination," said Betts. "Carney's a world-class player. You don't win the Dally M (NRL player award) if you can't play a little bit. He's found his feet over the last year so he's playing exceptionally well.
"Then you look at (Dave) Taylor, (Willie) Mason, (Glenn) Stewart, (Remi) Casty, (Greg) Mounis - they've got an exceptionally large and talented pack.
"Out in the backs (Morgan) Escare showed up well against Castleford, (Tony) Gigot's been playing really well and they've got the likes of Pat Richards.
"They've underachieved slightly in the last couple of years and I think Laurent (Frayssinous) has been looking for a bit more consistency from them week in, week out. They're starting to find that now."
Widnes remain above the Dragons in third place despite back-to-back defeats but they will again be without inspirational captain Kevin Brown, who missed the Easter period through injury.
The Vikings are also missing Lloyd White, Stefan Marsh and Hep Cahill. Joe Mellor, fresh from signing a new three-year contract will captain the side.
Centre Charly Runciman is back, however, while youngsters Ed Chamberlain and Jay Chapelhow are both included in the 19-man squad.
Catalans Dragons will be without their captain Casty for their Super League clash with Widnes Vikings.
The prop will be sidelined for up to four weeks due to a fractured rib cartilage sustained in his side's victory over Castleford.
The Dragons remain without suspended centre Krisnan Inu while forward Justin Horo is also out injured.
Richards and Richie Myler return after missing the Easter Monday victory over Castleford and Olivier Elima
features for the first time since February.
Catalans Dragons: Tony Gigot, Jodie Broughton, Vincent Duport, Pat Richards, Todd Carney, Richie Myler, Louis Anderson, Paul Aiton, Glenn Stewart, Jason Baitieri, Dave Taylor, Julian Bousquet, Eloi Pelissier, Greg Mounis, Thomas Bosc, Olivier Elima, Morgan Escaré, Antoni Maria, Willie Mason.
Widnes Vikings: Patrick Ah Van, Sam Brooks, Ed Chamberlain, Jay Chapelhow, Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Paddy Flynn, Tom Gilmore, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Macgraff Leuluai, Manase Manuokafoa, Joe Mellor, Eamon O'Carroll, Charly Runciman, Setaimata Sa, Corey Thompson, Matt Whitley.
