CATALANS Dragons president Bernard Guasch believes former director of football David Waite deserves a lot of credit for the French team reaching Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup Final and has revealed that the Australian actually predicted that the Dragons would play at the first Wembley showpiece final.

"One of the reasons why we are at Wembley is because of David Waite," said Gausch of his former director of football who left the club at the end of the 2006 season.

"The way he set up this club up has certainly laid a platform. On his last day we went out for a meal and David joked that Catalans would play at the first Wembley final. He was certainly right."

Guasch is not scared about Saturday's final, despite the fact that the Dragons face the daunting prospect of having to beat Carnegie World Club Champions and current cup holders St Helens.

However, he does think Catalans' 21-0 victory may have agitated Saints slightly.

"Beating St Helens at home could be the equivalent of poking an injured animal - they may have a nasty bite come Saturday. But on our day we can beat anyone, as we have proven against Saints and also in the semi-final.

"Since we joined engage Super League last season we have beaten all the big teams at least once. Nobody expected us to beat Wigan in the semi-final, but we did, and it was huge surprise for everyone involved in French Rugby League."

On a personal note, Saturday's final will be a memorable day for Guasch, who was instrumental in forming the Dragons.

"As a massive Rugby League fan, to reach a Carnegie Challenge Cup Final is a dream which I can't quite believe. When we began as a Super League club we said that one day we'd like to play in a cup final, but we didn't expect it so soon.

"Saturday will be an extremely proud day for me. Seven years ago a group of my friends and I decided to try build a Super League club. We took a few risks but the gamble has certainly paid off. Should we win on Saturday then I think Perpignan will throw a huge party and it will certainly take a couple of days to sink in."

Catalans' cup run has had a major impact on Rugby League in France. Canal+, the national French broadcaster, showed the full 80 minutes of their semi-final victory against Wigan, and they, along with Spanish station Televisió de Catalunya, will be broadcasting live from the Wembley final.

But what legacy does Guasch think Catalans' first Carnegie Challenge Cup Final will have?

"In the future anything is possible. We now have increased media attention and the impact is not only benefiting the Catalans Dragons but French Rugby League. It is the rebirth of the sport in France.

"We want to keep the nucleus of this squad together and bring in more young French players. Youngsters now want to come and play for Catalans which is a good thing. They all have ambitions and realise that the dream of playing at Wembley can actually become a reality."

The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final between Catalans Dragons and St Helens will be broadcast live on BBC1 on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

The RFL has just a handful of tickets left of its 73,000 allocation for Saturday's final.

Fans travelling to the stadium are reminded it is a public transport destination and has no parking facilities.