Catalan Dragons forward Elliott Whitehead has targeted a Dragons win in the play-offs today for more than one reason – not only would it keep their season alive, but it would see his “biggest rivals” dumped out in week one.
Despite now playing his rugby in the South of France with the Dragons, Whitehead grew up close to Bradford’s Odsal Stadium, before developing through the junior ranks to play for the Bulls.
He admits it would mean a lot on a personal level to knock the Rhinos out in their own back yard due to his Bradford roots – and his willing his Catalan side to finally find some form away from home.
“I lived next door to Odsal when I was a kid, so it would be huge for me to knock Leeds out of the play-offs,” Whitehead said.
“They’ll always be my biggest rivals in my mind.
“When I was at Bradford, facing Leeds was a massive derby and it would mean a lot for me to beat them at Headingley. Hopefully we can get the job done.
“It’s going to be tough at Headingley because Leeds have got some great individual players but I don’t think their form has been the best going into the play-offs, and if we can take our home form into an away game we can do well and hopefully get the win.”
