Completely agree. We shouldn't be left in the comp so i cant be too upset with the draw but its frustrating how easy Wigan are getting it. Hope the winners of our game win the whole comp.

Or unless the stadium's primary team decides they'd rather like the BBC exposure and tells the RU team to hop it to Otley or Harrogate or wherever for a game that's entirely irrelevant because the RU playoff places are already decided.

Obviously the rugby gods support the cherry & white
I've never heard as much whining in all my life even the most ardent Leeds fans must be embarrassed with the four pages of this drivel. It's the luck of the draw just get on with it for gods sake, dare I mention them again

Has anyone caught the sh*t-storm with the RFL and the No.6 and No.9 balls?

Apparently the No.6 ball was read from the draw as the No.9 ball (and vice versa).

It has been claimed that the RFL used a different set of balls in the draw to the ones that have said they used.

Office pic from the RFL with the No.9 ball underlinedhttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkjyNDxCAAAHoBz.jpg" >

Screen grab off of the telly with no underlinehttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bkjyz2tIcAAc6gh.jpg" >

You decide.

The RFL making themselves look like mugs again, who would have predicted that?

Unless you're getting your tin foil hats back out, the draw is as close to a random process as it's realistic to make it. I seem to remember Leeds playing Toulouse in a semi final not all that long ago. We also played all our main rivals (pretty much) en route to a relatively easy final in '99. Funny how these things work out. That's random processes for you.

Indeed. And also, Leeds are one of the big teams - fair enough if we were a Cas or a HKR or someone, complaining about an unfortunate set of difficult draws. If we are complaining about getting the likes of Saints, imagine how disheartening it must be for the likes of Bradford and Wakefield when they get the likes of us and Saints roll in to town - CC dreams more than likely dashed for another year.

Saints will be as fed up about the draw as people on here are, but if we beat them then i'd imagine we'd probably be favourites. Most be a dire set of circumstances when pretty much the biggest team in SL is complaining about consistently 'difficult draws!'

Imagine how all the other 'poor' teams feel when they get such draws come out!

i never have a problem facing big teams in the CC. we would have to face them at some point. if we win, its one less rival. if we lose it better to do it when there's less at stake, then the players can have rest weeks. I'd like to think Leeds can do it, as the likes of Sinfield deserve a CC medal to go with their fistful of rings

Infinitely preferable to a ringful of ...

If I was home would eagerly awaiting Leeds saints,but if we drew The old enemy Hunslet who will never be what they were,I would just say 'oh well let's get it over with'win or lose Leeds and Saints fans have got the best draw

Leeds Carnegie game has been moved forward to Friday. Leeds vs Saints is on Saturday with a 2:30pm kickoff on the BBC.

Please can we get to the Final and Win it????? Been far too long since Barrie Mac side stepped his way over the line at old Wembley!!

This has always been my approach to the vagaries of the Challenge Cup draws - this post should be saved somewhere and reproduced every year.

_____

Leeds are at home on a ground they have taken on average 75% of the points on offer throughout the SL Era. Even under the current coach Leeds are maintaining that overall average despite the steady decline from Smith (80%) through McClennan (78%) while Murray (84%) retains the best record of all.

V St Helens at Headingley it's much tighter overall (56%) but Leeds in knock-out football (CC and PO) have won in 4 from 5 (80%)

The current coach's three predecessors all ended with 50:50 records V the Saints and considering a comparatively lean time of late (trophy wise) for SL's most successful club, McDermott's 3 from 9 record overall is disappointing but when it crucially matters in knock-out football he's defending a 2 and 0 record.