It was St Helens's lucky day yesterday in finally securing Mick Potter as successor to Daniel Anderson as coach from next season on a two-year deal, followed by a ninth consecutive home draw in the Carnegie Challenge Cup under Anderson - a repeat of last year's quarter-final against Warrington Wolves, in the fifth round on May 10.

Potter will take Catalans Dragons, who were losing finalists to St Helens last year under his guidance, to Bradford Bulls in the last 16, having rejected the Perpignan club's improved offer. “It was really tough,” he said. “I've really enjoyed my time in France but the lure of a club like Saints was just too great. It's a massive challenge but a fantastic job.”

The continued impressive progress of Catalans this season under Potter - they can go second in the engage Super League by maintaining their seven-match unbeaten run at home to Castleford Tigers on Saturday - made him St Helens's No1 target to succeed Anderson, his fellow Australian, who returns home in October after three years.

“We asked around but you only have to look at his track record,” Tony Colquitt, the St Helens chief executive, said of Potter. “He has made a difference with Catalans. They are a well-coached and well-drilled team. The word I use is evolution not revolution. We wanted someone to continue and build on the good work of Daniel but put his own take on things.”

Catalans will not be rushed into an appointment, with the focus on reaching the league play-offs. “Despite the disappointment of his departure, I respect Mick's choice,” Bernard Guasch, the chairman, said. “He must have done a great job with us to get a contract with such a prestigious club as St Helens. The whole club can be proud of that.”

In two more all-Super League fifth-round ties, Harlequins meet Leeds Rhinos, the favourites, and Hull Kingston Rovers play Huddersfield Giants.

Challenge Cup fifth round (May 9-11): St Helens v Warrington (Live on BBC, May 10, kick-off 3pm); Barrow v Wakefield; Dewsbury v Oldham, Wigan v Whitehaven; Bradford v Catalans; Widnes v Hull; Harlequins v Leeds; Hull KR v Huddersfield (Live on BBC, May 11, kick-off 1.15pm).