HAVING never left the UK in its 110 year history, the Carnegie Challenge Cup is heading back to France for the second time in a month this weekend as Catalans Dragons face St Helens in a cup final dress rehearsal.

Saturday's engage Super League game against St Helens will be the first time Catalans have played at home since beating Wigan in the semi finals. It will also be their last home game before appearing at Wembley on 25 August so the atmosphere at the Stade Gilbert Brutus is expected to be electric for the visit of the French team's cup final opponents.

The French media are also showing a significant interest in the game. As a result the RFL has decided to fly the Carnegie Challenge Cup trophy back over to France so that journalists on the other side of the channel can see for themselves what Catalans will be playing to win at Wembley Stadium.

Remy Prunac, Catalans Dragons marketing manager, said: "Since we beat Wigan in the semi-finals of the cup the south of France has gone Rugby League barmy. Thousands of fans greeted us when we flew back into Perpignan after the game and since then the interest in our Wembley appearance has grown and grown.

"We're optimistic that up to 2,500 Catalans fans will make the trip to Wembley. Due to the distances involved most of our supporters are having to fly to London and so far we've filled three charter flights and are now trying to fill a fourth.

"As many of our fans will not make the final we're calling on all neutral supporters to get behind the Dragons. The fans at Warrington during the semi final were superb and we're hoping the same will happen at Wembley."

Whilst the trophy is in the south of France it will tour the region, helping to raise awareness of the upcoming final. At half-time during the Catalans Saints game the trophy will also be paraded around the pitch in front of the expected capacity crowd.

In the build-up to the final the RFL is also making a concerted effort to market the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final to London's 300,000 strong French community.

Craig Spence, RFL Communications Manager, said: "We understand that for Catalans fans it is not as simple as buying a ticket and hopping onto a coach. Therefore we're focusing a lot of attention on the hundreds of thousands of French people who live in the capital, not too far away from Wembley.

"Having Catalans in the final is a great opportunity for the development of Rugby League in Europe. Although a number of Catalans fans may not be able to travel over to see the game, we're hoping that by targeting London we can attract those fans who would not normally be interested in Rugby League.

"Because of French pride it is likely they will now take a significant interest in the final. Hopefully we can motivate some to the game and convert the rest to our great sport by encouraging them to watch the game on TV."

The RFL currently has no more tickets for the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley to sell. However, it is optimistic that more may become available in the run up to 25 August and is currently operating a waiting list.

To be added to the RFL Wembley waiting list for tickets, please call 0871 226 13 13.