McClennan: Catalans deserved the win

At the end of the first half at the Stade Gilbert Brutus Catalans kicked a penalty after initially indicating they were running the ball. The two points, which made it 12-10 to the Rhinos at the break, proved to be difference in an astonishing game.

McClennan said: "I don't feel as though we've been robbed - Catalans general performance and energy was better than ours, it was a fair result."

Talking of his side's comeback from 28-12 down with 11 minutes remaining to lead 30-28 going into the final minute he added, "We put ourselves in a winning position, we knew there would be a short kick-off and although Lee Smith may have been taken out in the air and there were a few other things, we didn't play well enough."

Of the contentious penalty he commented, "I like to see things done properly, there were a lot of performances to look at, including ourselves."

"We need to take it on the chin, we're disappointed in ourselves but the officials must be bang-on also."

McClennan also confirmed that second rower Ian Kirke had suffered a suspected broken leg.

Catalans coach Kevin Walters hopes the result kick-starts the French club's season, especially as their next 'home' game against Warrington in a fortnight is in Barcelona.

He said: "We didn't deserve to lose, I couldn't believe that the effort of the players looked like it would go unrewarded - but when we went over for that try with 10 seconds left, the coach got quite emotional."

He continued: "I'm really happy for the players, supporters and everyone involved."