Potter drawn by Saints appeal

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The 44-year-old Australian will leave Catalans Dragons at the end of the year to take up a two-year contract as successor to Saints coach Daniel Anderson. Potter rejected a last-ditch bid by the Dragons to keep him in the south of France but says he agonised over the decision.

"It was really tough," he said. "I've really enjoyed my time in France but the lure of a club like Saints was just too great for me. I couldn't knock it back. It's a massive challenge for me personally but a fantastic job to be in."

Potter was always the first choice of St Helens to take over from his fellow Australian once Anderson decided this would be his last season in Super League before taking his family back to Australia.

Potter found himself in demand after guiding the Catalans to an historic appearance in the 2007 Challenge Cup final, coincidentally against St Helens.

He has since guided the Catalans to a club record six-match unbeaten run in Super League - a sequence which started with a 24-10 win over St Helens at Gilbert Brutus Stadium in March.

It was Saints' third-successive away defeat by the Dragons, who will go second in the table if they beat Castleford at home on Saturday.

"Mick was always the first choice," said St Helens chief executive Tony Colquitt.

"We were confident we would get him but he was concerned that it would be a distraction for his club for the rest of the year.

"We are adamant that the players, coaching staff and administrators will not take their eye off the ball for the rest of this year and we know that will not happen."