Dimitri Pelo scored two tries but finished on the wrong side of the ledger [GALLO/GETTY]

The English side had a blistering final twenty minutes in which they hit the afterburners and pulled away from the highly fancied French side who had themselves rallied to lock the scores up at 20-20.

However four straight tries to the Warriors sealed the result to set up a showdown against the Leeds Rhinos next Friday night with the victor to battle St Helens in the Grand Final on October 4.

A record crowd at the Stade de Gilbert Brutus ensured a pulsating atmosphere and it seemed to lift the home side who were full of running in the opening exchanges.

They were finally given some reward for their endeavours when winger Dimitri Pelo streaked away to open the scoring after 20 minutes.

Wigan surge

But, like the famed buses in England's capital, after waiting a while for one the second one soon followed as Wigan responded almost immediately with centre George Carmont diving over.

After sustaining the early exchanges from the Dragons Wigan then gained the momentum with tries through five eighth Trent Barrett and fullback Richie Mathers to give the travelling side a healthy lead.

Before a late try to Pelo in the first half cut the deficit to 14-10 at the break.

Wigan had the perfect start to the second half when Pat Richards streaked 80 metres after collecting a loose ball from a spilt Catalans pass to make up for an earlier effort being denied by the video referee.

However the Dragons then came to life as Olivier Elima barged over after he side had powered down field, before winger Justin Murphy opted for speed over strength as he finished off a tidy backline movement as the scores drew level.

Floodgates

But what then promised to be a tense finish suddenly saw the floodgates open for the visitors.

Further tries to Richards and Barrett were then followed up by efforts from Mark Calderwood and Gareth Hock.

The French side had barely had a chance to take stock before their chances of reaching the penultimate week of the finals series had disappeared.

The season will still be remembered as a hugely successful one by the French club and they were given some reason to cheer with a late consolation try to centre John Wilson.

However, Brian Noble's men were keen to finish the job in style and they ensured they finished the game as they would hope to start next week with a final try to Calderwood to complete the rout.