I'm not quite sure where this idea comes from that AW lacks bottle. The Wiganers often roll it out before he squashes their pack.

Yeah totally agree, Al is not soft. No pro RL player is soft, and certainly not props. Even more certainly not international props.

He gets targeted most weeks and rides it mostly.

Wanting to stop him is one thing, actually doing it another. Having said that I still believe our pack is the best in the comp overall when they're all fit, and that's my hill to die on. Or at least, I expect it to be next year.

I would have Hurrell on the bench. Over 80 minutes his defence would be found out. Forwards need to do a job without giving penalties away. Key is how we score 20 points because anything less will not be enough against a very good Saints team. Let’s hope they are underdone and we get the rub of the green. Cannot wait!

If you want to control walmsley the answer is in dictating what the first 2 carries/ptbs from their back 5 look like.

I agree the Leeds pack when fit is very strong. I’d have Mik and Prior as the best prop pair in the league. I think Walmsley and Roby in out front row just edges us ahead in that department despite our other starting prop not being the same quality (Paasi, Lees, Amor). I also think Knowles is a terrific player at 13 for us but our back row is one of the weaker areas since Zeb retired (although Sione has found some form lately and looking good).

Should be a good game.

cracking player Knowles. very under rated.

Yep. Kicking game of huge importance and distribution from dummy half to kickers is crucial.

I agree.
Best prop in the league, can't see him bottling it.
But we do need our forwards to get into his face early on to have a chance.
The forward battle in the first 20 will be critical tonight.
But then it always is....
Hopefully we give you more of a game than last time.

Two sides who have a lot of respect for each other as clubs, and have had some titanic battles over the years. Leeds aren't quite at the top table yet but we're getting there quickly now.

Yep Mik and Prior probably best prop pair. Leeming at 9 has been selected in the Dream Team. Holroyd and Tetevano not a bad rotation at prop either.

Second row is a bit up and down; young Gannon will be an international in due course IMO, Walters has stalled a bit but Martin is OK and Bentley next year would add something. I think Mellor might play tonight which stiffens our D up a bit.

Cam Smith has been playing very well on the whole. Maybe not to Knowles' standard yet but both are good players.

Saints have the edge in the halves which is my main worry. Welsby is a great talent too; hopefully Newman can cause some problems in return though.

I agree on all of this.

2nd row is the weakest area of the pack for both clubs. Prior and Oledzki are superb but both behind Walmsley. Tetevano is tough but again I would take Knowles.

A combined pack would be something like:

Oledzki Roby Walmsley
Matautia/Martin Bentley
Knowles

Hopefully we will defend like we have all season and Leeds will find it tough to score points. Bar Newman I think Leeds are probably lacking some class in the 3/4 if there was a weakness to be highlighted. But it's not straightforward this by any means.

Where’s the best place to park tonight? Can you still use the Tesco one?

Cheers

I think the official rules are you can have a couple of hours there if you buy something, but I have never tried it myself.

If you stick Jackson St in your sat nav then you can park along there or in the side streets off it. There's then a footbridge on Manor St which comes off Jackson St and this takes you to the ground. 5-10 minutes walk tops.

Nice one mate, much appreciated.

Roll call........

Whos travelling over? I cant wait for tonight. Missed nights like this

Thanks to you and sgy was just about to ask, I used to park in chalon way but it’s now closed/being demolished.

Does anyone know if we are mixed in with saints fans again, like last time when they gave away 3k free tickets.