We lost against Bradford and London. We won both the games that followed (v Wire and v Cas) and won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 15 years. That was the tradeoff, and it worked.

Also, best case scenario we beat a gee'd-up Wakefield, take more gas out of the tank and then have a short turnaround to a fired-up Cas coming to Headingley for their cup final.

Worst case scenario we lose against Wakey and lose top spot but are still comfortable in both the Top 4 and Top 8 and have a much fresher core group for the Cas game and the relatively tough run that follows.

The four day turnaround will be tough no doubt but then we do have a 10 day turnaround to get over it.

Moon was charged with a Grade C (2/3 match ban) but has been found guilty of a Grade B so only has a one match ban and will be available for the Castleford game.

Watkins
Hall
Keinhorst
Ablett
Handley
Sutcliffe
Burrow
Singleton
Aiton
Cuthbertson
Achurch
Ward
Sinfield

Jjb
Mulhern
Yates
Walters

Achurch missing until August with a wrist injury, so that's one less opportunity for rotation gone.

He's got to be one of the most injury prone players we've had in a long time

That's the problem we have. Three backrowers each taking up a fair chunk of salary cap, in JJB, Delaney, and Achurch, and each of them continually spend long periods on the sidelines. It's not like it's just once, it's been happening for last three seasons.

Shame about Achurch as he shows glimpses of a decent second rower but sadly these are few and far between.
Not helped of course by the number of injuries he receives.
When does his contract expire?

The thing is, he's been injury prone his entire career, even at Penrith. Hence his low appearances in the NRL, which made Leeds' decision to give him a 4 year deal very risky. At the moment, unless he can put an injury free run of form together between now and the end of next season, I can't see him getting a new deal.

If I were Leeds, I'd be coming to an "agreement" regarding the year left on his contract and letting him go at the end of this season.

However much he's on, you'd struggle to argue that he's providing value for money.

Delaney and JJB missing again this week too

Zak too according to McDermott, but all bar Achurch have a chance for Cas at home.

Do I need to bring my boots on sunday

On a side note IF Zak is going to be out for a while, Is it possible for us to 'borrow' a certain Jimmy Watson from our sister club perhaps??????