The RFL

Catalans Dragons forward David Ferriol thinks stopping Saints’ halfback pairing of Leon Pryce and Sean Long could be the key to victory on Saturday.

Earlier this week, Ferriol, 28, was given the green light to play in the showpiece Carnegie Challenge Cup Final after being cleared of using the elbow during last Sunday’s game at Warrington.

Ferriol said: “If we’re to win the cup final we’re going to need a strong defence, put pressure on Saints’ attack and stop Leon Pryce and Sean Long dictating the game.

“I think our victory against Saints has given us a lot of confidence.  The myth that they can’t be beaten has been broken.”

As well as stopping the Saints halfback pairing, the former Limoux front rower also thinks the neutrals in the crowd could play a key part in the game.

“If the neutrals support the Dragons it will be superb.  In the semi-final at points during the game the Warrington fans supporting us were noisier than the thousands of Wigan fans.  It was a massive help.  I just hope the neutrals do the same on Saturday.”

Although just under 2,000 Catalans fans are travelling to Wembley, the French international front rower is expecting a huge reception should they return home with the trophy on Saturday night.

After beating Hull in the quarter-finals and Wigan in the semis hundreds of passionate Dragons fans greeted their heroes at Perpignan airport upon their return.

“I think the airport will be brought to a standstill should we fly back to Perpignan with the trophy.  All the roads leading to and from the airport will be blocked.”

After signing for Catalans at the start of the season, the last place Ferriol expected to be on 25 August was at a Wembley cup final, although Saturday will be his second appearance at the famous venue.

“In 1994 I was on a French Academy tour and we had seats for the Wigan versus Leeds final.  The old Wembley was a huge stadium and on that day I was lucky enough to see that great Martin Offiah try.

“Wembley is a venue of legends, and playing there will compare to nothing else.  The most people I’ve ever played in front of is around 10,000 people so to play in front of 80,000 will be unbelievable, but I won’t be nervous for the game.”

You can watch Saturday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup Final live on BBC ONE, kick off 3pm.  The final will also be broadcast on Canal+ in France and Televisió de Catalunya in Spain.

Fans travelling to the stadium are reminded it is a public transport destination and has no parking facilities.  For more information, please visit: http://www.wembleystadium.com/gettingtowembley/transportinfo/

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