Catalan Dragons scored 18 unanswered second-half points to post their opening win of Super League 12 as they deservedly inflicted Leeds Rhinos' first defeat of the season at an ecstatic Stade Gilbert Brutus in front of 7,620 fans.

Leeds sprang a huge surprise by naming skipper Kevin Sinfield in the hooking role in place of the injured Matt Diskin, Ian Kirke making his first start of the season off the bench.

For the Dragons Thomas Bosc moved to stand-off to cover for the injured John Wilson.

Leeds started poorly squandering possession, Alex Chan's powerful bust splitting the visitors' cover and Bosc was on hand to brush off Brent Webb, Aaron Gorrell converting.

Sinfield's magic got Leeds back in the game from a tap on their own 20. He kicked down the length of the field to Scott Donald who gathered but was just caught by Clint Greenshields, Sinfield spreading the ball quickly for Danny McGuire to send in Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

Catalans were back in front 10 minutes later after Rhinos conceded the first penalty, Gorrell's short ball sending in Chan between the posts.

Leeds just held firm after conceding two consecutive dropouts and hit back with an extraordinary score; second rower Jamie Thackray twice chipping over before regathering to score close to the posts, Sinfield again bringing the side level.

From the restart Jones-Buchanan broke clear and sent Donald racing to the pots from halfway.

Leeds posted a fourth try just before the break, Sinfield finding Webb whose superb long pass put Lee Smith over in the corner.

Catalans drew first blood in the second half with a brilliant, expansive move down the left, Bosc, Greenshields and Justin Murphy combining to send the impressive Casey McGuire over out wide.

That gave the Dragons renewed impetus and after a period of sustained pressure another superb Gorrell pass put Vincent Dupport over on the left, Gorrell converting from touch to level.

With 14 minutes to go Catalans hit the front, Bosc picking up a charge-down and hacking on, Lee Smith spilling the ball for Dimitri Pelo to gather and score, Gorrell again converting from out wide.

With Leeds again struggling to complete their sets, the Dragons swept up field and when Jamie Peacock was penalised for a high tackle on Chan, Gorrell landed the penalty from in front of the posts.