Catalans Dragons coach Kevin Walters has stoked the fires ahead of his side's play-off clash with Huddersfield on Friday by accusing the Challenge Cup finalists of "wrestle-mania".

The former Brisbane Broncos and Australia stand-off, who has guided the Perpignan club to the play-offs in his first season in Super League, has slammed the tactics of the Giants, claiming they seek to claim an unfair advantage by using wrestling techniques to delay the play-the-ball.

It was an accusation made by St Helens boss Mick Potter, Walters' predecessor at the Dragons, in the aftermath of his side's 15-2 qualifying play-off win over Huddersfield last Friday.

Walters says he has already raised the subject with referees chief Stuart Cummings as he prepares to set off with his team for a third successive weekend in England.

"Our biggest problem will be not the flights but overcoming the wrestling tactics of Huddersfield," he said.

"I've spoken to Mr Cummings about it. We've got some great attacking players in our team and so have Huddersfield and it would be a shame if those skills weren't to be displayed because of the wrestling tactics of Huddersfield.

"We're all trying to play the game as best we can, in the right spirit of the game, and sometimes I suppose it gets caught up a little bit in not so much over-stepping the rules but trying to get an advantage from the rules.

"We try to slow the game down as well, I'm not saying we're not part of that, but we play within the rules.

"I just hope it's policed properly at the weekend. Steve Ganson's a very experienced referee.

"I'll speak to my guys as well. We don't want to see a wrestle-mania here, we just want a good open game of football. We'll play within the rules providing that Huddersfield do."

The winners of Friday's first preliminary semi-final will be 80 minutes away from a maiden Grand Final appearance.

Back-to-back away wins over St Helens and Wakefield have rescued the Dragons' season and, in all probability, saved Walters' job.

Club chairman Bernard Guasch launched a furious verbal assault on Walters' players after a surprise 34-20 home defeat by Wakefield three weeks ago, telling them they were all free to leave, but has this week publicly backed his coach.

Walters, who is only 12 months into a three-year contract, insists he was never worried about losing his job.

He said: "I never felt that way myself but there's always speculation about coaches, it's part of the job I suppose.

"I'm comfortable with what I've tried to bring to the Dragons this year and I wasn't worrying too much.

"Bernard came to the match last week and was delighted with the win. There are no problems there."

Meanwhile, Walters has urged the International Federation to allow three of the club's Australian-born players to represent France in the end-of-season Four Nations series.

Full-back Clint Greenshields, hooker or half-back Casey McGuire and stand-off Adam Mogg have completed three seasons with the Perpignan outfit but are still waiting see hear if that will be enough to make them eligible to play for France.

"They're obviously very keen to play for the French team which I think is great for international football," said Walters.

"It would also help the development of the French national team by bringing the young players through.

"We'll just have to wait and see what the international board come up with."