CATALANS Dragons have been forced to abandon plans to take an engage Super League match to Spain in April.

The French side had intended to play their home fixture against Castleford Tigers on April 8 across the border in Figueres.

They have been told to find an alternative venue, however, after heavy recent snow and rain left the pitch at the town's football stadium in a poor state.

With their regular ground, the Stade Aime Giral in Perpignan, also unavailable that weekend, the Dragons are now considering playing in Carcassonne.

Dragons chief executive Grant Mayer said: "We have been told the pitch is simply not up to scratch and it can't be played there.

"This is a major inconvenience but Carcassonne is an option. We know there are terms and conditions with Super League that we need to meet.

"But rugby league has been played there before and we hope to have the matter resolved quickly.

"The question is now how we look after the supporters who have planned to go to the game. If it means putting on complimentary buses we will do that."

There have also been concerns the Dragons' clash with Wakefield scheduled for Narbonne on May 27 will also have to be switched but the club are hopeful that game can still go ahead as planned.

Mayer is disappointed the Figueres fixture has fallen through at such short notice but is hopeful the club will be able to play there sometime in the future.

He added: "The Catalan region is very important to us, it is part of who we are.

"The relationship has been strained by this but we still want to spread the game in the region."

The Giants are due to play the Dragons in Narbonne on Saturday, September 9, although there is still a chance the game could be switched to Perpignan.