I agree. IMO The intensity of wigan's defence will make them very hard to beat for rest of year. I also think saints will be tough to beat and are on an upward curve. There will be some tough games coming for all and other than Cas being top, the others all have a scrap on.

Imagine the furore and gnashing of teeth in Cas having finished the regular season 10 points in front, go on to win the Super 8s by a country mile, in the process thrash Leeds for a 4th time this season, to subsequently get beaten by Wigan (or Hull) in the SF, who then lose to Leeds in the GF. Fanciful prophecy most likely, but boy would that be funny! It would make the protestations (from Saints, Wigan etc) after us winning from 5th pale into insignificance! I wouldn't have laughed so much since Tansey made Iestyn Harris lose his rag at Cardiff.

Cas have proven a lot of people wrong this season, and they've been head and shoulders in the weekly rounds.........but, I feel like you can see this coming a mile off.

They'll wrap top spot up with weeks remaining, have nothing to play towards for a month and then they'll be knocked off in the semi by the more experienced saints/wigan.

No doubt that now we've posted it, the opposite will probably happen.

My view now would be
1. Cas
2. Leeds
3. Saints
4. Hull

Saints with Barba in the team will be a tough side to beat - Cas v Saints GF?

The fact that Cas have only 2 games that now really count this season, one being a home semi final and the other being the GF should they get there may not be the ideal preparation to win those games going by past experiences,although it could be this year due to the complete lack of quality sides in SL that could beat them

Cas really need to keep their foot firmly on the pedal IMO despite being given a bye into the semi's and keep doing what they have done all season in order to win the GF.

If they do then the LLS and the massive gap at the top of the SL table will be fully justified and they will sit proudly amongst the only other previous GF winners of Saints, Wigan, Bradford and Leeds.

Wigan are the dark outsiders with lots of points still to make up, but if they do get the wins and make 4th then I could actually see them beating Cas in the semi's if they are under done and have already had their GF suits made

The winner of our CC semi final will not make the GF IMO

With regard to Cas,I cannot really see DP allowing anyone to take their foot off the gas.It's just not in his DNA.On the flip side I can see him rotating his squad sensibly;I reckon they will keep banging sides [uunless[/u they suffer injuries to pivotal players aka Gale,or McShane.They will possibly come unstuck in a one off winner takes all semi but don't bank on it.Good luck to them but not at Leeds' expense.

I'd back us, Saints or Wigan to beat Cas when it mattered.

Cas don't have two big games in them at all.

A few weeks ago I would have agreed with you, but watching the cas performance at Catalan has changed my mind. Thought cas showed a great deal of spirit and resilience in coming from behind to win. They also have the advantage of not being involved in the challenge cup final. Staging the cup final just when the seasons play offs is underway is ridiculous.

Catalan are pants. Not much to beat really.

We've already seen in a game that mattered, CC QF, they fell to pieces.

Understanding the Eights So we’ve reached the great divide, and the split into five divisions has taken place. But what actually happens now? It's pretty complicated but we will try to simplify it here to assist your enjoyment over the rest of the season, and hopefully spike your interest in what is going on in the competitions where your own club doesn't have a direct interest. Across five new competitions there is everything to play for. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Understanding the Eights So we’ve reached the great divide, and the split into five divisions has taken place. But what actually happens now? It's pretty complicated but we will try to simplify it here to assist your enjoyment over the rest of the season, and hopefully spike your interest in what is going on in the competitions where your own club doesn't have a direct interest. Across five new competitions there is everything to play for. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

so the 3 times we smashed your lot this season were games that didn't matter?

Wait until you name is safely engraved on the Super League Trophy my 6 fingered friend.

not really, since they werent knock out rugby or for trophies

This Tigers fan is so sure that they're going to win the Grand Final this season that he's jumped to the front of the queue and got his tattoo done in July

that hasn't answered my question, just highlighted your arrogant sense of superiority

Of course they matter but the only game that will truly matter come the end of season and years to come beyond that will be the result of our play off game should we meet, and although this will be seen as a good season for Cas in the mould of Huddersfield a few years back, who also won the LLS but went on to choke when it mattered.

Not saying you will mind, and you have been head and shoulders above the rest this year so far. I will be at the front of the queue to congratulate you should you get the job done but still a couple of big hurdles to jump before we get the champagne off ice

Leeds aren't good enough to beat Cas. All over the pitch Cas are superior. Unpalatable but that's the reality.

Leeds chucked everything at Cas at Newcastle & Headingley to make amends for the 66 point drubbing and still came up well short.

The last 2 games mattered to Leeds, absurd to claim otherwise.

I wonder who this Parkside Freddy chap could possibly be?

it wouldn't be our vanishing friend would it

Quite like how those fixtures have landed.

Both ourselves and Wigan are in semi final action this week so no disadvantage. Get Saints before Barba can play. If we get to Wembley then Hull is difficult but then again it could be the other way round if Hull win this weekend. Cas will have won the LLS by then and Hudds will have nothing to play for probably final week, Salford might even have slipped out of the running by the penultimate week.

Just noticed the Hull game is scheduled for the Thursday after Wembley. WTF, you know one of those teams are guaranteed to be at Wembley on the Saturday so why plan it for the following Thursday. Dumb.

It's as good a set of fixtures as we could have hoped for.

Look to win our home games first and foremost and having Huddersfield away last game, who may well be on the beach already, could be a nice fall back were we to need a victory to make the play offs or 2nd.

Super 8s and Qualifiers 8s Fixtures Released The Rugby Football League have released the fixtures for the Super 8’s which could see Castleford Tigers crowned as Minor Premiers as early as Round 3 when they have a home game against Wakefield Trinity. SKY will be showing two games per round from the Super League Super 8s, along with at least one from the Qualifiers, although some games later in the season are still to be selected. All Catalans Dragons home games will also be shown live. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Super 8s and Qualifiers 8s Fixtures Released The Rugby Football League have released the fixtures for the Super 8’s which could see Castleford Tigers crowned as Minor Premiers as early as Round 3 when they have a home game against Wakefield Trinity. SKY will be showing two games per round from the Super League Super 8s, along with at least one from the Qualifiers, although some games later in the season are still to be selected. All Catalans Dragons home games will also be shown live. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Castleford game also on sky so that's our first five games on Sky and potential to be on TV eight weeks in a row with the Wigan game just gone, saturdays semi final & potential cc final.