Prolific winger Ryan Hall took his try tally for the season to 33 as Leeds secured a record-equalling sixth Grand Final appearance and kept alive their hopes of a first-ever hat-trick of Super League titles.

England international Hall touched down twice and stand-off Danny McGuire also grabbed two tries as the defending champions ended the gallant run of Catalans Dragons in a full-blooded semi-final at Headingley to book their place at Old Trafford against St Helens or Wigan next Saturday.

For the Dragons, making a fourth trip to England in as many weeks, it was a game too far, although they started and finished the tie arguably the stronger side, with right winger Vincent Duport registering a hat-trick of tries.

There were early signs that Leeds' decision to select the French club as their semi-final opponents might backfire on them as the big Catalans forwards tore into them.

However, Jamie Peacock stood tall in the early onslaught and, as skipper Kevin Sinfield began dictating play, Leeds showed their class and scored three tries in a six-minute purple patch just before half-time to seize control.

Encouraged by a rare knock-on from Leeds full-back Brent Webb, the Dragons made the more impressive start, with two early breaks by skipper Greg Bird and, such was their confidence, that they declined an easy penalty kick at goal.

But Leeds soaked up the pressure and drew first blood after Webb broke from deep inside his own half to set up the position for McGuire to take Sinfield's pass and dummy his way over for the game's first try on 13 minutes.

Sinfield's conversion made it 6-0 but when McGuire failed to collect Thomas Bosc's re-start, Catalans were handed a perfect attacking scrum and they made the most of it.

Danger man Adam Mogg cut across to the right and when the Rhinos defence failed to cover the danger, Duport was presented with a clear run to the corner for his first try.

Leeds almost scored again when centre Lee Smith won the race to McGuire's stabbed kick to the line but could not control the touchdown.

However, the champions pulled out to a 12-point lead with two tries from Hall in a four-minute spell.

He took Rob Burrow's long pass to cross at the corner unopposed and then got on the end of a break from second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who was released by a superb pass from Sinfield and ankle-tapped by full-back Clint Greenshields.

That made it 16-4 but the best was yet to come from the champions when Scott Donald broke clear down the right flank and McGuire collected his inch-perfect kick inside to register his second try.

The champions were on a roll and it took them only two minutes of the second half to extend their lead to a handsome 26-4.

Sinfield's distribution caused the visitors problems all night and it was from another of his long passes that Donald went over in acres of space for his side's fifth try.

The Dragons showed some fight despite being outclassed and neat passing from Thomas Bosc, Greenshields and Sebastien Raguin enabled Duport to cross for his second try on 45 minutes.

And the strong-running Duport completed his hat-trick nine minutes later after more good work from the hugely influential Mogg.

Bosc succeeded with his first conversion to make it 26-14, but Sinfield eased any anxiety in the champions' camp with a drop goal to edge his side three scores clear, rendering Mogg's late converted try mere consolation for the visitors.