Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos: Memories make Perpignan trip an occasion for Jamie Jones-Buchanan

The 37-year-old will hang up his boots at the end of the season and this could be the final time he makes one of his favourite away trips.

Rhinos’ squad were travelling direct to Perpignan today on a chartered flight.

They will return to England immediately after the match, which kicks off at 5pm French time.

“Historically, this has a bit of significance for me,” Jones-Buchanan said.

“The hotel we are stopping in brings back some memories of me going over there back in 1998 as a Great Britain academy player and sitting on the wall outside the hotel with my nana and Kev [Sinfield] and Lee Radford, as young players.

“There’s some nice memories. My mum has a house over there and she’s only an hour away and Catalans are her second team.

“I’ve also got a half-brother [Jodie Broughton] who plays for Catalans and there’s a real affinity. It is a big ‘occasion’, but in the context of where we are now it is just another game and one we desperately need to win and compete in and play well because we need to start picking up some two points.”