So our 10th game of the season will be here on Friday and we will have already had 7 home games. What the hell is with the top heavy fixtures this season? That being said, I cant remember in my life, a run of tough fixtures like we have had over the past 7 weeks and the fact we have got through them with just 1 loss is a great feat IMO.

Anyway, on to London. At the moment we are 4 points off Wigan but have 2 games in hand. We are looking like a top 2 team this year and it's the defense that has been the difference. London will be a chance to rest a player or two now too. Thats not taking London lightly either, but at home, against a team that has won 2 games, I would rest Peacock and give Singleton a shot. Is there anyone else that looks like they need a break? Maybe JJB and have both Clarkson and Ward in the back row and see how they go.

London truly have been poor this year and it will take some effort for them to come up to Leeds and turn us over. The fear is though that we take them lightly and turn off thinking we have got through the tough patch. If we defend like we have been doing we will win this by 30 or so. I just get the feeling it could be a high scoring one where we concede 20-30.

Im going to have 2 guesses this week because I feel greedy.

Focused Leeds: 46-14
Unfocused Leeds: 32-28 with the chance of an "upset"

Im not surprised. He's averaging more metres per game than anyone else in the league. Add to that the 30-40 tackles a game hes going through and he deserves to be knackered. Leuluai, Moore, Kirke and Singleton should get a good go this week. Lets see if anyone puts in a big work load or if they split it. It will also be interesting to see how he uses the 4 props without his workhorse on the field.

Injuries permitting i'd go with...
Hardaker
Handley/Duckworth
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sutcliffe
Mcguire
Moore
Mcshane
Leuleui
Jjb
Ablett
Ward

Burrow
Singleton
Achurch
Clarkson

I honestly think Sutcliffe deserves a run talent wise he's head and shoulders above anyone i've seen thus far at U19 level and its time for the lad to take the next step.
If we are looking for a winger then give Handley or Duckworth a run aswell both are comfortable under the kick ,have pace and in Duckworth he is very powerful whereas Handley is very quick and a natural pace man.
I saw the all conquering acadamy teams Mags,Robbie B ,Bails etc etc all played in and this mob are just as good imo.
Now whether i get the sarcastic responses or not that's my opinion and the way the U19's are playing i think we should start giving them chances at a higher level.

Personally, I'd go:

Hardaker
Watkins
Ablett
Moon
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Kirke
McShane
Leuluai
Clarkson
Delaney
Ward

Moore
Singleton
Achurch
JJB

Give JJB limited game time, if any, too (based on our subs policy of the last 2 weeks)

Will Kirke, and Delaney be back then?

After those pulsating opening rounds, it's a bit of an interlude 'til May really isn't it? I hope the younger forwards get their chance now.

Still important to get the points and the goal difference up to challenge Wigan for the hub cap at the end of the season. The effort and endeavour shown by this team so far this season has silenced their critics.

They were in the 19 on Sunday weren't they?

Aye. I just thought Delaney's injury looked bad enough to keep him out for a couple of weeks.

I'd like to see Singleton get a game as well.

If Peacock is rested I reckon he'll get 1 good spell. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a competitive game. He looked good in the lower grades and he's so quick for his size.

If Delaney is out I'd bring in a younger winger and move Ablett back to the pack.

If Peacock is to be rested he's going to have to agree with it.

This.

Wouldnt be at all surprised to see nobody rested and all players declared fit to play.

I doubt any of the academy lads would get a shot before the Dual reg players - maybe the exception would be Sutcliffe, wasn't he the water carrier against Warrington? That is usually a sign that you are 18th 19th man on the day.

I would love to see him go to Hunslet for a while, their six and seven are below my expectations there and don't bring our dual reg Rhinos backs into play at all.

Just can't see any U19s getting a shot (apart from the above) but that means dropping Mcguire which I cannot see. They all have quality (U19s) but there just isnt room for them.