Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons v St Helens - Relaxed Dracs a danger, says Steve McNamara
- Published
Perpignan put on a real show to greet the Catalans players before their semi-final win over Hull KR
Betfred Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons v St Helens |
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Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 9 October Kick-off: 18:00 BST |
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra & BBC Radio Merseyside; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app; highlights on BBC Two at 17:00 BST on Sunday, 10 October and on demand on BBC iPlayer |
Catalans Dragons are a "dangerous animal" going into Saturday's maiden Super League Grand Final against holders St Helens because of a relaxed attitude, says boss Steve McNamara.
The Dragons beat Hull KR in last week's home semi-final to reach the showpiece.
Having overcome that pressure and expectation, Catalans head to Old Trafford with freedom in their minds.
"The pressure was last week, the scenes were like a Galatasaray match in Istanbul," McNamara told BBC Sport.
"There were fireworks, flares, horns and whistles, and it blew everybody away.
"I thought we did a good job, not a great job, but the players were anxious and I was a bit anxious because there was expectation, and we wanted to get 'here'.
"Now we are here, we feel free and I've sensed that all week. I've sensed it before with this group and when we're like that we're a dangerous animal."
The 'three-peat' is on
Challenge Cup final: Castleford Tigers 12-26 St Helens
Meanwhile, Saints would equal a rare feat if they are to achieve success at Manchester United's 'Theatre of Dreams', by matching Leeds' consecutive title wins of 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Their fans will remember those games less than fondly, given each of those Rhinos triumphs were at St Helens' expense.
But under Justin Holbrook and then current boss Kristian Woolf, Saints have won the past two Grand Finals - beating Salford in 2019 before a last-gasp win over Wigan last season, and can make it a 2021 double following their Challenge Cup final win over Castleford in July.
"There's no pressure on this group whatsoever," Woolf said. "We've got an opportunity obviously and we know what the opportunity is and realise how big it is as well.
"Over the past three years, two Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup, this group has achieved so many things that they get to relax and enjoy it as a group this time, regardless what happens with the result.
"They've achieved so many things and will be looked back on in such a positive way, I think they deserve to relax and enjoy it.
"We want to take the opportunity obviously, there's still a drive to achieve, but certainly no pressure."
Veteran Roby out to savour experience
James Roby (left) lost his first five Grand Finals but has won the past four out of nine appearances
Saints skipper James Roby could feature in his 10th Grand Final, one behind record-holder Jamie Peacock, while it could also be the last big event for stalwarts such as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Kyle Amor as they ponder one last year in 2022.
At 35, Roby is realistic that he could be leading his hometown club in a final for the last time, and is desperate to soak it up.
"I'll try to keep as calm as possible but I can't wait to hear the roar," the former England and Great Britain hooker told BBC Sport.
"I don't know if I'll ever be stood on this pitch again or get to play in finals. I'm getting to the end now and realising it's a case of 'enjoy it while it lasts'.
"It's always special to get here, I'm so proud of the club, my team-mates and all the coaching staff, but from a personal point I just want to enjoy it, take it in and these are the sorts of memories that will live with me for a long time."
Loyal support hugely appreciated by 'Les Dracs'
Catalans supporters will make their best efforts to travel despite the short notice
While they are likely to be outnumbered greatly by the St Helens support, the logistical issues which have made international travel awkward for the average holidaymaker have also hampered those Catalans fans hoping to join their heroes at Old Trafford.
Around 1,000 will make the journey on chartered club flights and coaches, with their number potentially swelled by neutrals going 'Catalans for the day'.
"It doesn't matter to us how many are there, given the effort that they've made," McNamara continued.
"Perpignan is a working class town; you think of the south of France and the glitz and glamour of Nice, St Tropez or Cannes. It's not like that.
"The effort and expense some of these people have made to come across here to fulfil a lifelong dream, to some extent. Proud is the exact word that we will be of them this week."
Team news
England full-back Sam Tomkins has been named in Catalans Dragons' 21-man squad for Saturday's Grand Final against St Helens despite nursing a knee injury.
The 2021 Man of Steel missed the semi-final win over Hull KR with the issue, despite being named in the group, but is expected to return for the final.
McNamara would not confirm Tomkins' selection but did say he expected the 32-year-old to feature.
St Helens have also named an unchanged 21-strong squad, as they seek a third straight Grand Final win.
Lachlan Coote and Kevin Naiqama are in line to play their final Saints games.
Coote is off to Hull KR for 2022 while Naiqama is returning to Australia to be closer to family.
Catalans (from): Mourgue, Davies, Langi, Whare, Yaha, Maloney, Drinkwater, Dudson, McIlorum, Bousquet, Whitley, McMeeken, Garcia, Jullien, Goudemand, Laguerre, J. Tomkins, Chan, Kasiano, S. Tomkins, Dezaria
St Helens (from): Coote, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Thompson, Knowles, Mata'utia, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Amor, Paasi, Welsby, Smith, Batchelor, Dodd, Wingfield, Davies
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