Jon Smalldon: Loving the atmosphere in Perpignan. Fury and passion about everything.

A Micky McIlorum grubber kick on the last right across the face of the tryline eventually bounces in to touch before any of his Catalans' team-mates can get onto it.

A let off for St Helens as they have the chance to regroup following a period of Dragons dominance.

This is better from Catalans, they win a set restart deep in St Helens' 10 and they keep knocking on the door.

Sam Tomkins looks to have found a way through but the Dragons playmaker is swung down in a late, high challenge from Will Hopoate.

There's a fair bit of noise coming from the home fans as they urge Catalans on, as they try to find a route through a resilient St Helens defence.

Mike McMeeken sends a wayward pass deep but fortunately for the hosts they win a penalty soon after on halfway.

Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC One

The wind is blowing from left to right and when you're down there it's quite fierce so I reckon both teams will try and utilise that.

St Helens opt to go for the two and they take an early lead against Catalans.

Tommy Makinson makes no mistake with the boot right in front of the sticks.

An even few opening minutes as these two sides get the measure of each other, early doors.

St Helens win a set restart just past half way as they race upfield and eventually they win a penalty 10 metres out for offside.

St Helens get this game under way.

A joy to watch a big crowd await a massive game.

Right then, a bumper crowd and the players are out onto the pitch at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

I'm looking forward a fantastic game of rugby league.

Kick-off is moments away.

Who's going to edge this one then? A big game, pitting two of the titans of Super League.

But only one can go through as they work their way to next month's final.

Can St Helens make it two from two against Les Dracs this term? Or are Catalans going to get their own back for their Super League Grand Final defeat?

Let us know who you see winning this one by using #bbcrl on social media.

Three changes to the St Helens side for their trip to Perpignan this afternoon.

Will Hopoate, Alex Walmsley and Matty Lees all return to their starting line-up.

St Helens: Welsby, Hopoate, Hurrell, Percival, Makinson, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Batchelor, Sironen, Knowles.

Interchanges: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paasi, Norman.

Here's how the hosts line up to face St Helens today.

Tyrone May, Mitchell Pearce, Benjamin Jullien and Michael McIlorum come in.

Catalans: Napa, McIlorum, Dudson, Jullien, McMeeken, Garcia, Drinkwater, Pearce, Yaha, May, Romano, Davies, Tomkins.

Interchanges: Mourgue, Chan, Dezaria, Kasiano.

Praise indeed.

France rugby union defensive coach Shaun Edwards hailed Steve McNamara's "remarkable" work at Catalan Dragons ahead of today's match.

Click here to see what the former Wigan full-back said.

Image source, BBC Sport

St Helens have no concerns about preparations and travel going into today's Challenge Cup quarter-final against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan, according to boss Kristian Woolf.

While the Dragons pose a test, Woolf is satisfied by the club's build-up.

"It's obviously a challenge, and how the game goes will get sorted on the day," Woolf told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"But our blokes are ready, our blokes are looking forward to it, and there are some things around the travel - and that kind of thing - which are challenges.

"Yet we think we've put together the best possible preparation we can come up with and we're in a really good position in terms of how we've been playing, we get into it with real excitement and confidence."

Image source, SWPix.com

Image source, PA Media

In case you missed it, rugby league legend and charity fundraiser Rob Burrow received his MBE at Windsor Castle.

The 39-year-old was recognised for services to rugby league and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community in the 2021 New Year Honours list.

Burrow received the award from the Princess Royal and said he was shocked when he found out about the honour.

"It is not something I would imagine I would have achieved during my career but I'm absolutely honoured to receive this award."

You can read more about his honour here.

Matt Newsum
BBC rugby league commentator

Image source, BBC Sport

There are few matchday experiences quite like a Catalans Dragons home game, with the riot of colour, the smell of the merguez sausages grilling and the excited chatter of Perpignan locals preparing for the game.

The areas behind the stands are the place to be, with a band providing entertainment, with folk sipping cold beers and chanting partisan songs.

Those hoping for a bit of a tan looked they might be disappointed, when it was cool, overcast and a bit of drizzle in the air. It has turned sunny now but very windy.. Catalans normally kick-off at 18:00 BST to avoid the mid-afternoon swelter - could that be a factor?

Image source, SWPix.com

Still getting set up ahead of kick-off?

The BBC's rugby league correspondent Dave Woods has got you covered, with his preview of today's game in conjunction with 5 Live's Rugby League podcast.

You can read it here.

As ever, it's not just my ramblings that can take you through today's Challenge Cup tie, oh no.

At the top of this page you will see an array of links, to BBC Radio Merseyside as well as BBC One's live coverage direct from Perpignan.

Get stuck in.

Just the small matter of a huge Challenge Cup tie to get stuck into this afternoon.

Catalans Dragons take on St Helens in Perpignan with a place in the semi-final up for grabs.

Hull KR beat Castleford Tigers last night to seal their position in the final four, but who's going to join them?

Kick-off's coming soon.