Four-try Murphy earns a new deal

Justin Murphy's reward for his four-try feat in Catalans Dragons' 46-8 victory over Warrington is likely to be a new contract for next season. The Australian, 30, will be offered a new 12-month deal once he succeeds in his application to become a French citizen, which would remove him from the club's overseas quota. The former New Zealand Warrior joined the Perpignan club before they entered the Super League four years ago and, having qualified on residency grounds, made his debut for France last season.

He is in John Monie's initial World Cup squad and has no immediate plans to return to Australia. "My wife's French so she'd like me to stay," he said. "I'm happy here and this is my home. Hopefully, I'll get my citizenship through by the end of the year." Recalled to the wing in place of Cyril Stacul, Murphy justified his selection his first four-try haul. The Dragons went into their first-ever play-off tie in something of a slump, having finished the regular season with just one win from their last six matches, but they were back to their scintillating best in front of an ecstatic 8,442 crowd at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

With skilful Australians Adam Mogg and Casey McGuire pulling the strings, the Catalans had too much class for the visitors and had the game sewn up by half-time, when they led 22-2. The Warrington coach James Lowes praised his patched-up side. "We had a few with bumps and bruises but they all put their hands up to play," he said. * PA Sport