THINGS to improve upon, but plenty to build on.

That was Sam Burgess’ general verdict on his Warrington Wolves side’s display as they opened the new Super League campaign with defeat in Perpignan.

Hosts Catalans Dragons ran out 16-10 winners despite playing the entire second half with 12 men after Michael McIlorum was sent off for a shoulder charge on Joe Philbin.

And while happy with his players’ efforts at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, he admits their failure to adjust to that sending-off played a big part in their undoing.

“Firstly, I’m really proud of the effort. I’m not questioning that,” he said.

“I think we lost our discipline in the second half and we didn’t manage the red card as well as they did. I’m happy with the effort but not with the result.

“Our defence showed some resolve in the first half, but they got us right on half time with the kick, which was a miscommunication rather than a breakdown in system.

“I’m really happy with our defensive effort but there’s a few things in that second half that we can improve. We probably didn’t match our first-half intensity in the second half.

“It’s a great mark for Round One and there’s something to work with.

“We prepped great and our process was good. I’m happy with the performance but there’s areas we can tidy up to help us get results down the track.

“They showed great togetherness and I’m looking forward to next week.”

The boot of Arthur Mourgue proved the difference on the scoreboard – the Catalans full-back kicked two conversions and two penalties to go with his second-half try.

That came after The Wire had taken the lead through an acrobatic effort from teenager Arron Lindop, who was making his senior debut for his hometown club.

Playing on the wing in place of the absent Josh Thewlis, the 17-year-old had a mixed evening – he was targeted by several high kicks from Jordan Abdull, one of which saw him involved in the mix-up with Matt Dufty that allowed the on-loan Hull KR to score the try that snatched the half-time lead for the hosts.

“It was eventful for him,” Burgess said of Lindop.

“There’s no harder place to have your debut against two of the best wingers in the competition.

“Here in the South of France, it’s a really hostile place to come but I thought took his opportunity well.

“There’s things he’ll be upset with, but he’s 17 years old and he’s going to be a brilliant player. We can live with what happened tonight.

“Arron’s a great example for all young players at Warrington and tonight he showed that.”

McIlorum’s red card seemed to energise Catalans, with Mourgue scoring a penalty and then a try to stretch them into a 10-point lead.

Matt Dufty brought Wire back into the contest, but their efforts to complete the comeback were hampered by Jordy Crowther’s sin-binning for an off-the-ball hit.

While they could not complete the fightback, Burgess insists he has seen things to build on as they now turn their attention to a home game against Hull FC on Friday.

“It’s solidified what I’ve seen throughout pre-season,” he said.

“I believe I’ve got a great team in there – we’re not quite where we need to be yet but I’m very positive about where we’re going.

“There’s a lot of spirit in there – they’re a great group to coach, we’ll manage this loss and take lessons from it. We’ll be better for it in the next game.”

Burgess also confirmed there was no injury concern around prop Zane Musgrove, who did not re-emerge for the second half following his first starting stint.

“It's just the way it went,” he said.

“I wanted to get him back out there but it just didn’t happen right.”