St Helens reach Super League Grand Final by beating Catalan Dragons

Saints, beaten finalists on five occasions since their last triumph, will face either Wigan Warriors or Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford next Saturday following an ultimately convincing triumph over a Catalan side that had sprung a surprise by making the last four.

Super League's only French side were seeking to qualify for a maiden final, following previous play-off victories against Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants, but their efforts over the past fortnight appeared to catch up with them as they faded badly in the second half at Langtree Park.

Catalan claimed the lead through Morgan Escare's 28th try of the campaign.

However, the exciting full-back was then hampered by injury as the winners of the league leaders' shield hit back to lead at the break courtesy of scores from Jordan Turner and Adam Swift.

Saints duly pulled clear after the interval, tries from Willie Manu, Mose Masoe and Mark Percival " who also registered four conversions and a penalty " putting the result beyond doubt prior to Michael Oldfield's late consolation.

Following an early missed penalty from Percival, Escare registered the game's first points in the 22nd minute.

His try was set up by superb offloads from Elliott Whitehead and Thomas Bosc, although the latter's pass appeared to be forward.

Bosc duly converted, but Turner quickly responded and Swift then capitalised on a weak covering tackle from the injured Escare to touch down in the left corner, with Percival adding the extras on each occasion.

When Manu crossed in his last game at Langtree Park, amid further suspicions of a forward pass in the build-up, Saints were in control.

Percival converted again before popping over a penalty to extend his team's lead to 14 points and, with Catalan understandably tiring, it was not long before the hulking Masoe powered through two attempted tackles for Saints' fourth try.

After landing another conversion, Percival then broke clear from a scrum to go in under the posts.

Oldfield responded by streaking down the right wing for a second Catalan try with 12 minutes remaining, but by that stage Saints could have been forgiven for allowing their thoughts to drift towards a mouthwatering trip to Old Trafford.

Wigan, last season's champions, and Warrington - losing finalists in 2012 and 2013 - meet on Friday at the DW Stadium to decide who will face Nathan Brown's men.