The rise of Catalans Dragons has taken the world of Rugby League by storm in recent history and the French outfit aim to make more in the biggest game of the season; the Betfred Super League Grand Final.
Head coach Steve McNamara had an instant effect back in 2017 and five years later, he is leading his side in their second Grand Final appearance. One player that has been with the club throughout the process is influential captain Ben Garcia, who could become the first Frenchman to lead a side to Grand Final glory in the history of the competition.
“We are not here just to visit the stadium, we have a job to do first,” he says. “We play the whole year well so it is a reward to be here but we have a job to do.”
“As a kid I was a fan of the club, my dad brought me to Wembley in 2007. I’m really proud to play for the Dragons but I want to win and bring a trophy back for my club. I still have time in my career but I don’t want any lost opportunities.”
Support on the continent
With silverware and success on the field, the Dragons’ change of culture has expanded the teams supporter base around France. The Stade Gilbert Brutus has been a fortress at times this season – the Dragons have only lost three league games at home – but Garcia is confident that the whole of France will be getting behind their side when the teams take to the field under the cold, unforgiving Grand Final lights.
“People come from Paris, Toulouse, Marseille to watch us and they are all passionate,” he says.
“Last week’s semi-final showed the type of atmosphere we can bring and we knew that would be helpful to get us to Old Trafford. On Saturday we won’t have as many fans as Wigan but we know we have support from everywhere in France and I’m sure that if we have the luck to bring this trophy back to France, it will be crazy in Perpignan.”
Legacy of departing stars
Most of the storylines leading into this year’s Grand Final surrounds Catalans full back Sam Tomkins, who will hang up the boots no matter the score against his former side at full time. Tomkins, along with brother Joel, has led the change in recruitment that has brought NRL Premiership winners James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, and some of England’s brightest talents Matt Whitley and 2023 Man of Steel nominee Tom Johnstone, into Perpignan to help take the club to the next level, not an early retirement.
Pearce also retires after Saturday and Garcia credited both players and their impact on the next generation of Dragons players. “They are leaders and winners. They bring a winning culture to the club and the young players coming through the system so it’s really hard as a club to lose them after the game but I want to give them the best end I can,” he says.
A fairytale ending can be written at Old Trafford but for Dragons fans, one thing is for certain no matter the score.
The French Revolution is painted white, red and gold.
