Huddersfield Giants: Theo Fages absence explained as coach confirms starlet to make debut

Drew Darbyshire
Theo Fages Huddersfield Giants Ian Watson

Theo Fages (left) and Ian Watson (right) of Huddersfield Giants

Huddersfield Giants coach Ian Watson has confirmed that star half-back Theo Fages has been sidelined with a quad injury.

France international Fages picked up the injury in the warm-up just before they were hammered 54-0 at Leeds last week.

The Giants will travel to Wigan on Friday night without the influential playmaker in their 21-man squad, Watson has confirmed.

Watson said: “Theo’s had a scan. It’s not as bad as first feared.

“He did it in warm-up at Leeds, he felt like he did something hence probably why we couldn’t gain any decent field position.

“He wasn’t kicking the ball if you noticed, he started to run on the last. We weren’t aware of it. We thought he’d be OK and get through it but he couldn’t.

“The team’s not been the same once all year. It’s not through wanting to change things. A lot has been injury and illness.

“Last week Adam Milner was ill all last week. He managed to be our 18th man but was pretty rough. Joe Greenwood and Jack Ashworth are out now with illness and injury.

“Now we are just focusing on some of the positives this week.”

Ian Watson confirms Huddersfield Giants academy product to make first team debut

Watson has confirmed that young prop Fenton Rogers will make his Super League debut for Huddersfield against Wigan this week.

Rogers has enjoyed time on loan in the Championship with Bradford this season and has previously played for Rochdale, Oldham and Halifax on loan.

Watson said: “That’s the big positive we want to focus on rather than doom and gloom.

“He will definitely make his debut. It’s exciting. He’s been telling me he’s been ready for two years.

“He was over the moon this morning. He received his jersey from his mum and dad.

“They’re a big rugby family and well-known in the game for a long period of time. They travel all over with their kids. It’s a proud moment for them all.”

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