Catalans Dragons wrote their name into the Rugby League record books when they became the first French side to reach the final of the Rugby League Challenge Cup competition.

The men from Perpignan defeated hot favourites Wigan Warriors 37-24 in an epic semi-final at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium, and will meet holders St Helens in the showpiece Wembley final  next month.

Few people had given Catalans much of a chance as they went into Sunday's game having lost their last three Super League games. But, inspired by scrum-half Stacey Jones, they turned the form book on its head and stunned Wigan with a four-try blitz inside the first 17 minutes.

'Few people had given Catalans much of a chance as they went into Sunday's semi-final having lost their last three Super League games. But, inspired by scrum-half Stacey Jones, they turned the form book on its head'


Touchdowns from Casey McQuire, John Wilson, Adam Mogg and Vincent Duport saw the Dragons race into a 20-0 lead. And although Wigan hit back in the second half, a try by forward Jason Croker eight minutes from time ended the Warriors' resistance and sealed Catalans' place in Rugby League history.

The defeat ended a miserable week for Wigan, who had been docked four Super League points for breaking the game’s salary-cap regulations. The action saw them drop from fourth to ninth in the table - and out of the play-off places.

St Helens booked their final berth earlier in the weekend, when they defeated Bradford Bulls 35-14 at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield. An excellent defence laid the platform for the victory, but it was in attack where the game was won. Scrum-half Sean Long and hooker Kieron Cunningham were at the heart of St Helens’ six-try display, controlling the game with a guile, speed and fluidity that an enthusiastic Bradford side could not contain.

Rugby League will now be waiting in eager anticipation as St Helens and Catalans prepare for their sell-out August showdown. The final is returning to Wembley, regarded by many as the game's spiritual home, after a seven-year absence. Whilst the famous stadium was being rebuilt, Murrayfield, Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff have played host to the competition’s final. But none of those stadia have got close to matching the special relationship that Wembley holds for the sport and its fans.

St Helens will start as clear favourites, but as the illustrious 110-year history of the Challenge Cup shows, many a favourite has bitten the dust on Wembley’s hallowed turf. And after the Dragons' display against Wigan Warriors, who would bet on the men from Perpignan upsetting the odds and creating more Rugby League history?

To get an alternative view on the world of sport, why not visit www.edlinesworld.co.uk