Theo to give French lesson to the Aussies

THEO FAGES was a 16- year- old hopeful when he upped sticks from France and moved to Salford with dreams of Super League stardom.

Five years on, he should be handed the opportunity to prove his class when St Helens face Australian NRL giants Sydney Roosters in tomorrow’s World Club Series showdown.

The 21- year- old scrum- half joined Saints from Salford on a four- year deal during the winter and is rated as one of the brightest prospects in the game.

Fages, right, whose father Pascal was a French rugby league international, said: “I was playing in France and had always dreamed of playing in the Super League, so my dad did some homework and got me a trial at Salford.

“They gave me a chance and handed me a contract, so two years later I was playing in the fi rst team.

“It has been tough at times but I always wanted to be a professional rugby league player and it’s great to have achieved my dream.”

Ironically, Fages made his debut for Saints against Salford last Thursday as Keiron Cunningham’s men suffered a humiliating 44- 10 Super League defeat.

It was not what Fages signed up for when he made the move, but it is to be hoped that tomorrow’s visit of the Roosters at a raucous Langtree Park will see the real St Helens.

The World Club Challenge was expanded last year into a three- match series, with Super League’s top three sides pitting themselves against Australia’s best.

It was a 3- 0 scoreline to the Aussies 12 months ago and the onus is on Saints, Wigan and champions Leeds to avoid another whitewash when they face the Roosters, Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys respectively at the weekend.

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