Catalans Dragons clear snow to ensure Castleford game goes ahead

Catalans Dragons have confirmed Saturday's Super League match against Castleford will go ahead following a successful snow-clearing operation. The game was in doubt after 40cm of snow fell in Perpignan earlier this week, but an army of 100 volunteers joined the players and groundstaff to start a major clearing operation yesterday. "We had 40 more volunteers this morning and we have completely cleared the snow from the field," said the Catalans spokesman, Yannick Rey. "It is now sunny and the field is perfect. There is no problem, which is a big relief. "It is important for us to play a home game because four of our first five matches have been away." Castleford fly out tomorrow and have included Mike Cooper, the 21-year-old prop they signed on loan this week from Warrington, and Joe Westerman, who has recovered from the infected knee that kept him out of last Friday's defeat at Hull, in their squad. Lee Briers is still missing from Warrington's 19-man squad for their televised game against Bradford on Saturday. The influential half-back had been expected to return after missing two matches with an ankle problem.