Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown watched Catalans Dragons destroy his side's Super League play-off hopes and admitted the French club are "a good shot" for the title.

The Catalans followed up their shock win at St Helens on the last day of the regular season which clinched their top-eight spot and last week's sudden-death win at Wakefield with a 16-6 victory over the Challenge Cup runners-up in last night's first preliminary semi-final.

The Dragons are now 80 minutes away from a maiden Grand Final appearance but must win on their travels for a fourth successive week if they are to book a trip to Old Trafford on October 10.

Defending champions Leeds or St Helens await the Perpignan club in next weekend's semis, with the Rhinos selecting their opponents at a live televised press conference at Headingley tomorrow lunchtime.

Brown believes Leeds will avoid the in-form Frenchmen, choosing instead the winners of tonight's second preliminary semi-final between Hull KR and Wigan.

"I don't think Leeds will pick them and they can definitely beat St Helens if they play well," said Brown, whose side lost 15-2 to Saints a week ago.

"St Helens aren't going as well as they would like. Last week's game was a pretty average game of footie for a semi-final.

"Catalans have got some blokes in their team who are world-class players. Greg Bird and Jason Ryles are definitely world class and Casey McGuire, Adam Mogg and Dane Carlaw have all played State of Origin football.

"If those blokes get their game together, they can cause St Helens some trouble.

"Can they beat Leeds? I'm not sure if they can or not but I don't think Leeds will pick them because physically they are big enough to stick with them and in key positions they have very good players.

"You might find them in the St Helens' half of the draw and I think they're a good shot."

Huddersfield led 6-4 after a defence-dominated first hour at the Galpharm Stadium but the Dragons finished the stronger side and clinched victory with late tries from winger Dimitri Pelo and second rower Olivier Elima.

"There wasn't much in it," said Brown. "It's a very fine line.

"Our effort was great but we weren't as smart as we needed to be. That's been the case if a few big games for us this year so that's an area to improve on next year."