Super League: Leeds Rhinos 6-34 Catalans Dragons - Davies hat-trick inspires Dragons

Tom Davies has scored two Super League hat-tricks for Catalans Dragons this season

Tom Davies scored a first-half hat-trick of tries as Catalans Dragons easily overcame a much-changed Leeds Rhinos side at Headingley.

Davies touched down twice early on as Catalans raced into a 10-0 lead but Rhys Evans closed the gap soon after.

Just before the break, Davies crossed for his third while Fouad Yaha extended Catalans' advantage in the second half.

Arthur Mourgue ran in for the visitors, while Yaha turned in again for Steve McNamara's side on full-time.

Catalans' victory helps them keep pace with the Super League top four as they remain fifth while Leeds drop a place to fourth.

Leeds head coach Richard Agar made 15 changes to his 21-man squad for the game after last week's win over Hull KR - no doubt with Saturday's Challenge Cup final with Wigan in mind.

Adam Cuthbertson and Luke Briscoe were the only Rhinos players to retain their places, with Agar fielding a youthful side for the visit of Catalans.

Wales international Evans, who was forced off with a second-half head injury, got Leeds going in a first period that was dominated by the visitors and the impetus provided by Davies.

Catalans, unchanged following their defeat by Warrington, dominated much of the match with Yaha and Mourgue's second-half efforts capping off an inspired victory.

Leeds Rhinos boss Richard Agar:

"Rugby's a tough game and you're looking for guys that want to front up, and I think we had a right good crack tonight.

"It's unbelievable really, when you look at the respective teams from a salary cap perspective.

"We acknowledge they have a fair amount of class and international experience in the team, and we've got a bunch of guys who haven't played since February or March time, and that would be a big ask in any situation, especially on their debuts."

Catalans head coach Steve McNamara:

"The weather made it really difficult and you start thinking it's going to be one of those nights - but we found just enough points to get the win despite it not being a great performance.

"We came off an horrendous trip last week onto another trip this week so we've got some pretty tired players out there.

"We need to get back to France for a couple of home games and find some of the rhythm that we had before the lockdown."

Leeds: Walker, Cuthbertson, Thompson, Evans, McLelland, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Walters, O'Connor, Broadbent, Tindall, Harrison, Ferres.

Interchanges: Mustapha, Hall, Whiteley, McConnell.

Catalans: Folau, Yaha, Maloney, Drinkwater, McIlorum, Moa, Whitley, J Tomkins, Garcia, Bousquet, Davies, Romano, S Tomkins.

Interchanges: Casty, Baitieri, Mourgue, Kasiano.

Referee: R. Hicks.

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