Super League: Catalans Dragons 24-16 Hull FC

Former England captain Tomkins, 35, attracted plenty of attention after his surprise decision to come out of retirement, and he wasted no time in grabbing the headlines.

In the opening 25 minutes, the two-time Man of Steel winner had been involved in one try, scored another and was the victim in Sao’s sending off.

It took him less than three minutes to make an impact when a less-than-vintage chip kick caused havoc and McIlorum showed good skills to dribble the loose ball over the line and touch down.

A calf injury forced off second-rower McIlorum soon after, and the Airlie Birds were given another huge boost when Sims was sent off for catching Chamberlain and then attempting to pick up the grounded winger.

And when Tomkins spilled the ball, Tuimavave broke away into Catalans territory and from the next play the Samoan centre finished a flowing move to level.

But Hull quickly threw away their man advantage when Sao also saw red for “dangerous and direct” contact with Tomkins’ head, and Mourgue booted the hosts back in front from the resulting penalty.

If Tomkins had shown a little rustiness, he reverted to customary creativity after 23 minutes as a show-and-go created a gap to snipe through for his 161st Super League try.

Both depleted sides struggled for fluency in sapping conditions, but Hull closed the gap to two points early in the second half when Walker collected a loose ball to cross unchallenged after Denive Balmforth’s break.

Yet Catalans restored their eight-point lead when Garcia barged over under the posts.

Hull, who stunned Wigan last time out in an improving campaign, continued to push, but their resistance was broken when the hosts moved the ball wide to give Davies a walk-in.

Hopes were raised again when Martin collected a high kick to bring the visitors within eight points with five minutes left, but when Charles skewed the conversion attempt wide, the game was up.