Dragons eye Wembley upset

The French underdogs have suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday's Wembley showdown with holders St Helens when the former Brisbane Broncos stand-off failed a fitness test on a pectoral injury.

"We tested him yesterday and he had no chance," said coach Mick Potter. "He hasn't come with us but he will arrive tomorrow on a private jet. He knew he couldn't have played, the way he was. He would have let the team down."

He added: "It's unfortunate for Casey. He's been a real good link player for us and a player that creates things for us. It's sad for him but I'm just hoping that at some stage before he retires that he can get another opportunity to come to Wembley."

Former Canberra Raiders centre Adam Mogg, who has deputised at stand-off in the last two matches, will keep the role alongside captain Stacey Jones, with forward Sebastien Raguin likely to continue as a makeshift threequarter.

"Adam is a player who can play wing, centre, five-eighth or full-back and you could even put him in the back row and he would be an asset for any team," added Potter. "He's big, athletic and he's got good skills and vision. I'm very happy he's in our team."

Potter, whose squad had their first experience of the new national stadium in Friday's traditional pre-match walkabout, will give a fitness test to winger Younes Khattabi, who has a slight groin strain, before finalising his team.

The main beneficiary of McGuire's absence will be Australian winger Justin Murphy, who would have been forced to make way for him under the overseas quota restrictions.

"It's a massive blow for us but I think, deep down, we've known for some time that Casey wouldn't play," said Jones.

"We've just got to look on the positive side. Justin Murphy wouldn't have been able to play with the quota thing so we get him to play and it brings Adam Mogg a bit closer to the action. He can get his hands on the ball a bit more than in the centres."