Steve McNamara reflects on huge night for Catalans

He said: “There was no mass celebration at the end of the game here at the Brutus.

“The players understand that if we are going to do something historic, we have to do it next week in Manchester.”

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Catalans struggled to control an energetic Rovers in the first half but tries from Arthur Mourgue, Fouad Yaha and Joe Chan after the interval ensured the Dragons’ maiden final appearance.

The emotions at a sold-out Stade Gilbert Brutus were almost too much for the Dragons but Steve McNamara was proud of the way his players dealt with the occasion.

“There was a danger that we would get caught up in the occasion of a sell-out crowd but whilst it wasn’t a great performance from us we showed great determination to win the game,” he said.

“It’s a massive night for the club to achieve its first-ever Grand Final.

“The fireworks and the flares and the passion, it’s a different place here and it’s inspirational. They have showed that support all year.

“It was good to show the fans what we are capable of in the second half.

“It was one of those nights where we had to fight and scrap, pinch an intercept, and that’s what you expect in a semi-final.”