Thought Hull were fairly good and was very impressed by their intensity. They blew some chances but these were only the kind of errors that are very easy to rectify next time out. Leeds showed pride, no more, but that's far better than nothing; many teams would have lost by 40 last night.

As for Sinfield, I have to agree that on current form he should be nowhere near an England spot. But only a fool would predict he won't be playing much better come the season's finale.

No they wouldn't. Only Leeds gets this special treatment from the bald one.

Leeds season looks over? I assume you talking about pre the playoffs.

In recent weeks Hull have started to get men back off the injury list and now we're starting to see them show some class and hit form. Sure, they lacked cutting edge and ruthlessness here and there, but that will come...its not long since they were injury ravaged.

Having said that, if they can stay healthy, I think they're a good bet, at 9/1, for the cup.

And this right here is what is wrong with our sport! Leeds should now be sweating about their place in the play offs (top 4) after losing 3 SL games in a row. They may still make top 4 but it would be a tough thing from now till the end of the season.

But as is they may think 'Our League Leaders Shield bid is over so we will ease up a bit'.

If Leeds "ease up a bit" there's a serious danger they won't make the 8.

They're without a number of key players, and still have to go to Wigan, Warrington and Huddersfield in the league (three guaranteed losses on current form).

Right or wrong, they've got players who will have to back up on the Monday following the Exiles game against Widnes due to the lack of numbers in their squad, so that's not a given.

At the moment they look completely shorn of confidence, direction or motivation. There's a real risk their season could fall apart from here.

They are 5 clear of 9th with a game in hand.

The most points that have been needed to get into the play offs would have been 28 last year if Bradford hadnt have had their points taken away. (they would have gone to 29 and wakey would have missed out on 26 and Hudds take 8th with 28.

That means that from the last 12 games that leeds have they would have to win 4 and draw 1 to make the play offs. 27 will probably make the play offs this season so thats just 1 win every 3 games. Leeds could play their u19's and win that many games.

What?

Ryan Hall outplayed by the next best English wingers in the same week.

I want Tom Lineham in the England team, he is an international winger for sure. What an athlete.

Would have loved Lineham to go himself for the long range try as i dont think Hardaker would have got close to him, but good that he gave his best mate the try!

I’ve been a big fan of Briscoe for a few years and I think he suffered a little by being outside Yeaman who isn’t a wingers centre (Briscoe on the end of the Wigan or Warrington backlines would have a field day)

The competition for wing spots now is fantastic if you are an English RL fan... Hall, Lineham, Briscoe McGilvary, Riley and Charnley could all do a job for England (and a few others no doubt)

Gone are the days where we had to play Richard Horne on the wing or Calderwood was the best option

Ben Crooks was always a stand out player in the junior ranks but when he first started getting picked last year some questioned whether he was ready. A year of learning the game and developing physically and there is no doubt that he is now. However I wouldn't be throwing him in against the Aussies yet, I think he would get exposed slightly against their big backs. Give him another year or two and he will be ready.

Lineham on the other hand could play international rugby no problem, and not only would he not let anyone down but I think he has the speed and physical presence to trouble any team. The thing I have loved about him from day one is that he knows he is good, yet unlike some young players he hasn't let it go to his head and instead goes out every game with the attitude that he is going to prove how good he is. Plus not only is he the biggest winger we have but he's probably the quickest too (at least out of the guys with a realistic chance of getting picked).

I hope Watkins makes a swift recovery. A back line of Tomkins, Hall, Atkins, Watkins and Lineham is a very exciting prospect.