Coach Terry Matterson (pictured) has taken his full 24-man first team squad to Perpignan and plans to give valuable match time to all the fit players at his disposal.
The travelling party includes the 11 players that missed the Boxing Day run-out against Bradford Bulls with six set to play against the Dragons.
New signing Paul Jackson will play his first game since rejoining the club while fellow forwards Stuart Jones and Ryan Hudson are set to make their comebacks after injury.
Centre Michael Shenton, utility back Ryan McGoldrick and prop forward Mitchell Sargent, who missed the Boxing Day game for different reasons, are also set to play.
Saturday's pre-season game will also allow several of the Tigers' young stars to press their first team claims with Jordan Thompson, John Davies, Oliver Holmes and Nathan Massey all in the squad. However, Brett Ferres, Richard Owen, Brent Sherwin and Kirk Dixon, who are all recovering from operations, will not play and although he is close to full fitness Joe Westerman may have to wait for the Huddersfield game later this month to make his comeback.
Coach Matterson is looking forward to the trip and a chance at last to get out onto a field after problems with snow and ice at home in the past three weeks.
He said: "We were at Sheffield United on Friday, who've got close to a full size indoor pitch, and we were at Leeds United on Thursday so we've had two really good days there, but we are going to get the opportunity to get some really good training for a few days in France.
"It won't be warm weather, but it should be a lot more conducive to working outdoors over there in Perpignan. It's worked out well. Because of the weather a lot of teams have gone on camps in the past, but a lot of them have gone against it this year.
"As we've rolled it in with the trial I think it's perfect for us. It's not a long trip, five days in total, just long enough. And to play a team like Catalans at the end of it will be great. With hindsight it's been a fantastic decision.
"We're not going to get a lot done Wednesday after we have travelled over there. But we're going to get two pretty good days where we get four full sessions in.
"We're not going to be jumping out of the ground when the game comes around. We want to perform well, but the result is not the be all and end all.
"We want to get some sessions on the training field and to get what we want to get done we are going to go in a bit overdone.
"We'll probably go into the game a bit tired, to be honest, but we've just got to dig in and get out of it what we can.
"It's all part of getting ready for the season and this just gives us an opportunity to have three days out on the field. At this time of year no-one's outdoors so it will be great for us.
"I don't think anyone will be playing their friendlies this week with the weather so it's worked out really well for us.
"We're taking the full 24-man first team squad. It's not just about the game – we're going to get together as a squad and look at some things to take forward into the year."
Matterson expects a tough work-out from a Catalans side looking to improve on last season's showing in the Super League.
He added: "It will be a really good hit-out for us. I think they've only got one player out of their whole squad who won't be playing.
"We've had some cracking games with them over the last two years. A couple of the games have been six-pointers and last year one went two points either way.
"We will be looking to step up from the Bradford game. It will be a lot of the guys' first game, but they'll have to step up because the quality of the opposition is up a notch.
"They will all be from their first team squad where Bradford had a lot of young guys like we did, so it will definitely be a good test.
"It's a good opportunity for some of our young players again. Johnny Davies, Jordan Thompson, Olly Holmes and Nathan Massey are going to get plenty of game time. They are part of the 19 so I am really looking forward to seeing how they go. They had a bit of a taste on Boxing Day and it should be exciting for them."
l Gary Thornton's new under 20s side gets its first run out on Sunday when, weather permitting, Castleford Tigers' youngsters travel to play York in a pre-season friendly at Huntington Stadium (3pm). At stake will be the Paul Higgins Cup, in memory of the former Knights coach and Cas player.