Theo Fages has expressed his relief at sealing a move from Salford to the Super League champions St Helens and has now targeted following in the footsteps of his mentor, the former Saints scrum-half Sean Long.
The half-back has signed a four-deal with the Saints starting from next season, where he will link up with Long for a second time after a previous spell at the Red Devils, where Long was recently on the coaching staff. And after a turbulent end to his spell at Salford – he resigned from the club in August over an alleged breach of contract before being officially released on Monday – the 21-year-old admitted it is satisfying to get his future sorted out.
“It has been a really tough few months, however I’m a person who likes to focus on the future and I’m just excited to get started on pre-season with St Helens,” he said. “I feel very honoured that a club like St Helens have offered me a four-year contract. As soon as my agent made me aware of the interest, there was no other place I really wanted to go. They are such a big club with an incredible fanbase. I want to win trophies in my career, and coming to one of the biggest clubs in Super League will help me achieve that.”
Long won every domestic honour in the game during his time at St Helens, and Fages admitted the 39-year-old has had a huge impact on his career. “It was good to know Sean will be at the club next year as I hugely respect him,” he said. “He has played a massive part in my career, and it will be great to get back on the training field with him and also start working with Keiron [Cunningham, the St Helens coach]. I didn’t get the chance to speak with Sean until the deal was signed, however he’s told me he’s excited to have me at St Helens.
“He is a great coach – however I’m equally excited to just be part of a great set-up at the club; from the chairman to the people who work at the stadium, right through to the excellent training facilities we’ve got – everything and everyone has made me feel so welcome.”
Fages also revealed his frustration at how his time at Salford, who he made his debut for in 2013 after coming through the academy, came to an end. “I had to make the right decision for myself,” he said. “I don’t want to go into detail on how it ended, however I hold many happy memories from my time at Salford – the fans are an amazing bunch who always supported me. I always tried my best to focus on playing rugby for Salford and nothing else; that was my priority from the start and I always gave 100% every time I put the shirt on.”
To ensure he is ready for pre-season, Fages also confirmed he will play in this year’s European Championship for France. “I’m a few weeks from being fully fit but I can’t wait to represent my country again,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back on the field and I’m certain we’ll do well this year.”
