So, an early top of the table clash. Everything seemed to go our way yesterday as far as results go and if we beat Hudds this week, Saints beat Warrington and Catalan and Wigan draw we will be top with a game in hand. Our D has been good this season so far, which is very un-Leeds like early on. Hudds will be hurting after yesterdays defeat to the Bulls though. I reckon they will come back strong and it will be a low scoring, good game.

Leeds by 6

Conceding an average of 14 per game so I've read. Much improved on previous years.

11.5 on my count. We'd have to to concede 34 in our game in hand to lose the best "against" in the league tag.

Got a feeling that McDermott might experiment with this one

and put out the following team:

Watson
Chisholm / Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
McGuire
Burrow

Delaney
Hood
Peacock
JJB
Ward
Sinfield

Kylie
Ablett
Bailey
Clarkson

McShane
Singleton

No chance. He'll be wanting to lay a marker down through this run of games. Bailey back, maybe Achurch. Moore and one of Clarkson/Ward to drop out if Achurch does play. If not, then just prop for prop.

I would give Achurch a couple of games for hunslet to get some decent minutes under his belt.

You don't give in do you

I wouldn't drop Moore after his effort last week. His good performance should be rewarded with another performance. That would send a clear message across.

I'd keep Clarkson and Ward too but I think Achurch will be good for us in the future. I have seen signs of a good player here and there. He's just not used to playing this level week in, week out.

Bloodbath. Who would you drop for Bails? I thought Kirke was better than Moore against Saints. We need a big pack against the Giants too.

Agreed.

I thought he made some good yards when he came on and was good in defence.

If Bailey is fit i would drop Clarkson out of the 17.I like clarkson and think he looks much improved and has bulked up well.But he is a 60 to 80 minute grafter and not the 10-15 minute impact player we are using him as at the moment.May aswell have a bench full of big lads for this game and match fire with fire.

I saw Achurch pictured in Hunslet kit and he did not look pleased.It may fire him up.I think Moore deserves a run.Giants will be hurting,but Leeds by 8

Wherever I read it, they've got it wrong. But definitely much improved.

if we play like the last 2 rounds you will put 50 past us.

no respect for possesion of the ball at the giants at the moment.

will still be looking for a result like the last 2 visits though

Can't see why Achurch would be pished off? Plenty of our other 1st teamers have been dual registered to try and up participation and game time. He'll be back.

Think the only change will see Bailey come in (probably for Moore).

I think strongest available is still required to avoid playing catch-up again like previous years.

Hudds - H
Wigan - H
Wakey - A
Bradford - H
Catalans - A (Easter Monday)
Wire - H
London - H
HKR - A
Bradford - A
Saints - H
Wigan - MW
Hull - A
.........................

Castleford - H
Widnes - H
Hudds - A
Widnes - A
Wire - A
Wakey - H
London - A
Salford - A
HKR - H
Catalans - H
Wigan - A

It'll be tough because of the effort required for the WCC but if we can still keep to a 'reasonable' level for the next 12 Rounds (and pick up a decent chunk of wins) then the following 11 don't look too bad, especially Rounds 22-26. Any possible squad rotation looks better suited in the 2nd group of games IMO.

Defence at the moment is looking ok, hopefully the attack clicks a bit more in the final 20m. If we're able to run in 5/6 tries we should win.

i saw him play yesterday, no chance he's going to be playing for us this week. every chance he won't be playing for hunslet either, he was the worst player on the pitch

Noticed Keinhorst scored a couple of tries. Was he playing centre or wing?

You have to remember, our 19s beat their 1st team preseason. There is a massive gap in quality.

Sounds like an attitude problem if anything. I think He needs to get his head down and work hard. I have seen his highlights in the NSW cup and he looks too good for that level. He has the attributes to be a solid SL player, but for any team in the top 8, you need to work hard and not take it for granted.

centre, looked impressive too, although liam welham hunslets other centre rightly got MOM.

the league games are a different level to that friendly, on watching them last week at featherstone & this week i'd see hunslet winning by 40+ points

It was preseason for both sets. I have no doubt that the Championship is higher standard, but the Leeds kids will have improved since too and as you can see in the u19s, aren't looking too shabby.

Scored two having seen very little of the ball as most of the play was down the oppsite side. I think he should be given some decent game time in the centres with the injuries we currently have but not on the wing though. Thought he did a job, no worse than Vickery, but he's certainly not a winger.

My imagination does definitely even astound me at times

Bailey for Ward as the only change.