I can see French edging a thriller

CATALANS stand on the edge of history at Wembley today - and if they can keep their minds off that fact I think they can edge a high-scoring Challenge Cup final.

The Dragons can do something very special by becoming the first non-English team to lift the trophy, but as players you can’t think about outcomes too much.

You have to stick with the process that got you there otherwise you can become bogged down and will lose.

Their performance in the semifinal win over St Helens (above) was the best I’ve seen from an underdog this season, and that will give them confidence.

The players will know they got it right three weeks ago by committing to the game-plan and delivering, so they will be focused on going and doing that again.

Since then the two teams have had very different approaches.

Warrington have pressure on their top-four place from Huddersfield and have needed to keep winning, while Catalans have had little to play for and could focus fully on this cup final.

My experience is the week of the final you put Super League to bed and form doesn’t matter – you’ve got a game-plan and a clear idea of how to win and it’s how you execute that.

Catalans did the same thing by resting players ahead of the semifinal, so they’ve got a blueprint that works and why not go back to it.

I’m expecting a great game – both sides have scored a hell of a lot of points in previous rounds and it could be four or five tries apiece and rugby league at its best.

We’ll have forwards who want to run hard and break the line but hurt people in defence, and skilful outside backs in both teams. I can’t wait to see the two packs go at it – Sam Moa, Remi Casty and Julian Bousquet coming up against Ben Westwood, Chris Hill and Mike Cooper.

Warrington are a very good side with fantastic players – but I just feel this is Catalans’ time.