ANTICIPATION is building in Perpignan for the restart of Super League following the announcement of a return to training for Catalans Dragons.
Les Dracs will regather on July 6th to begin a mini pre-season programme before their first fixture against champions St Helens on August 2nd.
The Dragons will have had an unprecedented 21 weeks between games when they return to action against Saints at a venue to be announced in the UK but it’s the much-awaited return of Les Dracs to Stade Gilbert Brutus which has supporters in Perpignan wringing their baguettes in eager anticipation.
“It’s been such a long time, it’s been painful,” long-time supporter Roger Mourgues told us. “This club is one big family and it’s not the same when we’re not together. We’re just awaiting the date of the first home game.”
Only season ticket holders, sponsors and officials will be allowed into the Brutus under current anti-virus guidelines but as time passes there is hope that more fans will be allowed in – and the remote possibility of supporters from the UK at the Brutus before the end of the season.
“It’s better than nothing,” said Mourgues. “And if the virus continues to retreat maybe we will all be allowed in.”
The Brutus stadium is the heart of the community in the northern quarter of Perpignan, nestled between the airport and the city centre, and the lack of action has left a huge void in the area.
Early signs of life at the ground are already emerging with the club’s merchandise shop and brand new Brasserie Dragons bar/restaurant now open for business and coach Steve McNamara said his players couldn’t wait to get back to the Brutus pitch.
“I’m proud of the way the players have responded to this situation. Lockdown has been pretty severe in France but the players have all stuck to their individual programmes, they look fit and healthy and it’s obvious that they are raring to go,” he said.
“Sam Moa got clearance from the medical experts this week, he’s worked really hard and he’s ecstatic that he’ll get the chance to play again and we can’t wait to get him back out there.”
All that remains is for Super League fixture-planners to factor in fixtures in Perpignan. McNamara said: “From a Catalans perspective, the situation isn’t difficult, we’re here and ready to play home games under restricted crowds according to the latest government guidelines. The stadium is fit to host games, the club is making sure of that.
“There will be no quarantine to stop teams coming in and out of the country, or for us to visit England, the bio-secure documents are all there and lodged with the RFL in terms of how it could happen for all teams so the conditions are in place to have regular home and away fixtures.
“There is a clear method of travel available, we’re looking at flying in and out of the UK on the day of our away games during the early weeks of the restart so there is no reason why English teams can’t do the same and visit us.”
McNamara said it was crucial that his team were allowed home advantage, particularly in a shortened season with a revised four-team playoff.
He added: “Switching to a four-team play-off makes the whole competition tighter and there are less games for teams to catch up if they’ve dropped points at the start of the season. We’ve won three from four and we need to build on that right from the start. You can’t afford to get too far behind with just 22 games in total to play in a limited number of weekends available.
“Whoever wins the Grand Final is going to thoroughly deserve it this year as it’s going to be attritional. There are fewer games, but over a much shorter period of time. It’s not something you’d like to see every year but we have to get our teeth into it and let’s go.
“In some regards it could be even more special to win it than a normal season.”
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