Catalans, Olé Olé Ollie

Ollie Partington is loving life at Catalans Dragons, as he hopes for a successful year in the south of France.

Partington joined the Dragons for 2025 from Salford Red Devils – and is set to face his former side in Rivals Round on Saturday – just two weeks after meeting with them in the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter finals.

“It was a big change for myself, partner and my dog, but we’re loving it so far,” Partington admitted, who has been an ever-present for the Dragons in Super League this year.

“The sun is starting to come out now, so that makes it a little bit easier. The culture is a big difference – life here is a lot more relaxing!

“Catalans are a big club, and I saw that from day one with how detailed and intense everything was. It was a tough pre-season, but I’ve loved every minute of it and challenged myself with some really good players from the NRL and top clubs of Super League.

“It’s a good environment to be in, especially when you want to get better and learn each week.”

A star-studded Dragons had endured a shaky start their 2025 campaign – losing their opening three matches and merely scraped past Betfred Championship side Halifax Panthers in the early rounds of the Challenge Cup.

But the French side have managed to turn things around in no time – and have since won three of their last four Super League games and find themselves in a Challenge Cup semi-final for the first time in seven years.

“I think it was always going to be tough. Pre-seasons aren’t always long enough to get the right combinations ready and flowing like we want them to be.

“I think we expected at a rocky start. There was a lot of press on our on our team to start with after some big-name signings and things like that,” Partington explained.

“We were always going to be under pressure and expected to perform. But I think we’ve gotten better each week in Super League.

“In the cup games, those are games you just have to win, and last week Salford came and wanted to throw everything at us - which they did.

“We’ve had some adversity with injuries and numerous changes in the spine, but I do think we’re getting better and getting towards that Dragons mentality and how the team and the club wants to be perceived.”

It was a scrappy affair in the Challenge Cup quarters, with Catalans claiming a 20-12 victory against the Red Devils on home soil.

Partington proved to be pivotal in this cup tie, producing 40 tackles in a game of pure grit and what was based on sheer defence for large parts of it.

“Salford came to cause problems – it was their chance to try to keep their cup hopes alive.

“It was a really tough game. We weren’t on the TV and there was no video ref, so I think that all added to the game and that feeling of just needing to win.

“Salford were really desperate and pushed us all the way – but I think we were just that little bit more clinical in certain parts of the game.

“It was definitely a close one through the middles. It was an intense match overall but that’s what you want to see in the quarter finals of a Challenge Cup!”

Traditionally, the French side are a force to be reckoned with at Stade Gilbert Brutus. Last season, they were victors in ten of their thirteen home games, and will be looking to reiterate this fine record in 2025:

“Home form is massive. We've got to get as many wins as we can over here, because every other week we have to go away without our fans – and that’s always tough.

“Our fans are really passionate and really supportive – it’s great to play in front of them. Then, when the away fans come, that brings another bit to the atmosphere, and I'm really enjoying it.

“I’m looking forward to more clubs coming to play here and more important games coming our way.”

And although Catalans versus Salford isn’t a local derby, Partington believes there is definitely a rivalry forming ahead of Super League’s epic Easter Weekend.

After all, it was the Dragons who failed to make the top six in 2024, whereas Salford finished an impressive fourth.

If we cast our minds back, Steve McNamara’s men attempted a late charge in the closing stages of the regular season, but standing in their way in Round 25 were a rampant Red Devils – who beat the Dragons 27-12 – and effectively ended any Play-Offs hopes the French side might have had.

And of course, Partington featured in that winning Salford side. Now, however, his mentality will have to switch ahead of this year’s Rivals Round, with the Dragons seeking revenge:

“I would probably say that Salford are one of our rivals,” said Partington. “If you look last year, Salford made it into the top six and Catalans didn’t.

“There is definitely some rivalry there because Salford beat Catalans at the end of last year and were in the Play-Offs, so I think we [the Dragons] definitely owe them one in league.

“It’s always exciting to play against some really good friends that I've got at Salford – I have fond memories from my time there and it would be nice get one over on the lads.”

Catalans' triumph against the Red Devils in the Challenge Cup also means that Partington and his side are just 80 minutes from a coveted Wembley appearance - which would be the Dragons first since winning the cup competition in 2018.

“It’s exciting and it’s massive for the French fans. They love the heritage of the Challenge Cup and it would be massive if we could get to Wembley and play in that stadium with all the history it’s got.

“It's hard to be too excited yet because we've got a long way to go – and that starts with Rivals Round this week and then a semi-final against the current league leaders [Hull KR] in a few weeks’ time.

“There’s a long way to go yet.”

Partington has already had a taste of competing on a big stage, having appeared in the 2020 Grand Final for Wigan Warriors.

But the 26-year-old is hungry for more:

“I want to win things. I was also a part of the wider team that went on the Challenge Cup at Wigan in 2022, so I know what it feels like to win it - but I just want to be on the field when it happens.

“It’s a massive driving point for me. I really want to win trophies and there is no better club to do it than Catalans, because the fans deserve it and we’ve been really close to winning things in the past few years. Hopefully we aren’t too far away.

But first and foremost, the Dragons have their eyes firmly on making that top six, meaning every two points matter - including those up for grabs in Rivals Round!

“We just need to keep working hard as we're doing in training and just and just showing up for each other.

“If you look at all the good teams, they always turn up for each other, they might not always play the best, but they’re always working hard and covering each other’s backs. That’s what will get us to that end goal.”

Are you ready for Rivals Round?

This week's Saturday night Betfred Super League will see Catalans Dragons welcome Salford Red Devils to the south of France, as Rivals Round (Round 8) takes place live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+.

All six games across Rivals Round will be broadcasted LIVE and information regarding dates, venues and kick-off times can be found here.

There's still time to sign up to SuperLeague+ if you haven't already, with match passes, monthly passes and annual passes all available.