Dragons' coach hits out at fixture planners

Aug 18 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

CATALANS DRAGONS coach Mick Potter has hit out at the fixture planners, claiming he will have just three days to prepare his side for the Carnegie Challenge Cup final.

The Dragons’ Super League match against Warrington tomorrow evening was put back 24 hours because of television scheduling, and they will face a return journey to France before settling into their London base for the big day.

Cup final opponents St Helens, on the other hand, played at Salford last night – leaving them a full week to prepare for the Wembley showdown.“I’m ‘filthy’ with whoever makes those decisions. By the time I get to find out about it, the deal’s been done,” said Potter.

Already with grave doubts over utility back Thomas Bosc and stand-off Casey McGuire, the Dragons have suffered another blow with the loss of prop Mathieu Griffi – who has a torn quad muscle. For tomorrow’s match, the Dragons will also be without former Warrington forward Jerome Guisset.

Warrington are boosted by the availability of prop Paul Wood, who avoided suspension following his dismissal at Hull, while stand-off Chris Bridge and second-rower Adrian Morley have both been using a hyperbaric chamber in a bid to shake off injuries. Winger Chris Riley takes the place of Stuart Reardon, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury.