THEO Fages is ready to upset his ‘family’ as Catalans look to squeeze into the play-offs.
The Dragons’ half back may be back home having grown up in the Perpignan area but his rugby roots lie in Salford.
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Having been taken in as a 16-year-old by Shirley and Alan Bradshaw, he grew up in the city – when he speaks English, he even has the accent.
But when he heads ‘home’ today, that will count for nothing as Steve McNamara’s men attempt to overhaul the Red Devils, with both now sitting outside the top six.
Fages said: “Salford is a special place for me. It’s where I started, they gave me a chance. It’s my home in England and I’m proud to have started there.
“It was very tough at first and it’s probably because of Shirley and Alan that I stayed. As a 16-year-old, being away from family and not speaking any English was hard.
“If I wasn’t looked after like I was at their house, I’d have probably gone back but they looked after me like I was their own kid.
“It took me a year before I started learning what people were talking about. I was a bit shy too, which didn’t help – I still have a bit of the accent because that’s where I learned but I can’t understand their son, Steve, now!
“Shirley and Alan have been in touch. I actually saw them when we stayed over in Leeds.
“I always see them when I can and we always text each other – they’re my family, so it’s always great to meet up.
“They pretty much say, ‘We wish you all the luck in the world. Just not against Salford.’ But we’ll go for the win – that’s why we play the game.”
After heading to St Helens then Huddersfield, Fages is back home – proper home – after signing for Catalans.
And even though the table points to things not going swimmingly, the 30-year-old cannot get enough.
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He added: “I’m home. So it’s good being around family and friends. It’s good for my missus too.
“The club gave me the opportunity to do what I love, as well as be at home, so it’s a win-win. It was always my aim to play for Catalans and I’m glad I’m finally doing it.
“This is a huge game for both clubs – we’re both in the same position and we all want to be in the top six.
“We have to get three wins out of three games. We go one by one but we’ll look at the other two after today.”