He plays better for Leeds tho! Does he still think he has some sort of debt to pay Leeds?

at the fans on the Saints board tonight...This is a good one: They want the RFL to look at the 20 metre restart rule because Leeds kick it dead on purpose to slow the game down. Ive heard some bollox on here but that has to be near the top.

I wouldn't shift Seinor/Delaney into the forwards. I'd have Smith on the bench as a potential game breaker and replacment for 1-5, with Burrow/McGuire at halfback. Given the length of time he's been out I wouldn't include Diskin either - this is not the game for ring-rusty players.

Defence around marker and up the middle will be key. If Leeds are as soft up the middle as they were against Sts at home we'll lose. We need to control tackles and slow down the resulting PTB, and actually stop forwards at the gain line (I lost count of how many times in that game Leeds lost the collision, with Sts forwards making big yards after being hit by the tacklers).

Personally I'm not too hopeful. The lack of Ali and Eastwood as game-breaking second rows is a real loss. Without them we have no real punch in the forwards. I will very gladly be proved entirely wrong, however...

All you'd have to do to negate the dead ball long kick is let sides restart as fast as they like from the 20. I wouldn't even care if a team was offside so long as they didn't interfere with play.

Is it fair to say that if Leeds don't perform on Saturday we might as well write off any chances of winning any silverware this season? If they can't step up in this game then I doubt they'll be able to overcome the challenges of winning the GF from 4th or 5th.

It'd be foolish to write us off at any time imo lets just wait and see.

I'd say not. For my money, that risk would come from beating Sts but losing in the final.

I would play Rob & Danny at half back and move Sin back to 13. We will need them on for the full 80 and we need 3 kickers. I would seriously consider Smith for Senior because Keith has defensive positional play has been terrible and Lee has been a game winner on the big stage and gives a 4th kicker and I think he will be a better left centre than right because of the easier pass.

I would include Ambler and Diskin (only if 100% fit) Senior not yet proven in 2nd row (will need to make 30 tackles or so) so would give him a rest.

Squad in full ishttps://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/14593.phprl

I had a feeling Kirke would be included. Ambler and Burgess to miss out

Brent Webb
Scott Donald
Brett Delaney
Lee Smith
Ryan Hall
Danny McGuire
Rob Burrow
Kylie Leuluai
Danny Buderus
Jamie Peacock
Jamie Jones Buchanan
Keith Senior
Kevin Sinfield


Matt Diskin
Ryan Bailey
Ian Kirke
Chris Clarkson


Burgess and Ambler to miss out.

Kirkey's back.

Sorted.

Senior has caused the Saints defence a whole heap of trouble over the last few seasons. I would be very cautious about distrubing his relationship with Hall on the left.

If any centre were to 'step up' into the pack (and this itself is a prospect I find concerning) then Delaney would be the better choice, for 3 reasons:

1. Senior/Hall have a prolific record against Saints.
2. Delaney played back row for the Titans.
3. Smith played right centre for most of last season and would slot in alongside Donald much easier.

One of Smith/Diskin/Clarkson are likely to sit this one out, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Kirke will play. Need a 2nd row option.

Burgess would be unlucky to miss out IMO - had a very solid game last week. Which was good to see.