Clint Greenshields, the Catalans Dragons full back, is acutely aware of the havoc that Trent Barrett is capable of wreaking for Wigan Warriors in this evening's sudden-death play-off in Perpignan, having spent three years in the same St George-Illawarra Dragons team as his schoolboy idol.

“Trent was playing State of Origin when I was at school,” Greenshields, selected this week in the engage Super League Dream Team, said. “Coming into the St George team, it was such a big thing to play alongside him. He was a great player then and still is now. There's plenty in the Wigan side who can do us some damage, but he's the one you've got to really watch.”

However, whereas Barrett is heading back to the NRL to join Cronulla Sharks in 2009, Greenshields is happily settled in France after a remarkable third year in Catalans' short but eventful existence, in which they are two matches away from reaching the Grand Final two weeks today. “I'm not going to lie, it was really hard in those early days,” Greenshields said. “It wasn't just the lifestyle. The club was very much in a building phase, we didn't have the best facilities and the coaches were trying their best, but everything had to be explained in English and then in French. At St George, everything was done for you, so it was a really hard transition to make.

“But we've come out the other side, shown we've got some great players and are pushing on for next year with more new players and a new coach [Kevin Walters, the former Australia player]. It will all add a new element to the team and the club, which has really kicked on this year. This isn't a short-term thing for me any more. I'm enjoying myself.”

The match will mark Mike Potter's farewell to France after three years at the helm to take up the St Helens coaching job next season. “I know Kevin on a personal basis, not as a coach, and he's a good bloke and a lot more relaxed than Pottsy,” Greenshields said. “Mick's done a great job. This is the toughest coaching job in the world because you've no real player development. Those young blokes coming in, you've got to teach them the basics, and I speak for everyone when I say we're all going to miss him.”

Two of the club's founder players, Alex Chan, the former New Zealand prop, and John Wilson, the Australian centre, will be playing their final match at Stade Gilbert Brutus, where victory against Wigan, who lost and drew there in the regular season, would extend the Dragons' play-off campaign by at least another week after last Saturday's drubbing of Warrington Wolves.

Chan and Wilson played in Catalans' inaugural match, a 38-30 victory over Wigan in February 2006. “I'm sure there will be a lot of emotion and I hope there is,” Potter said. “Alex and John have been here since the inception of the club. They have made their mark and left a great legacy with their ethic and play on the field.”

Aaron Gorrell, who is leaving to join Brisbane Broncos, is omitted again, with Casey McGuire retaining the hooking duties. Jamal Fakir replaces the suspended Grégory Mounis in the second row and Vincent Duport comes on to the bench.

Liam Colbon and Darrell Goulding are available for Wigan after missing the defeat of Bradford Bulls last week. “The attitude has been good and we're playing OK,” Brian Noble, the Wigan coach, said. “It's a fantastic trip to France and a great challenge.”