Going to be a tough one to think how we are going to line up, but after the Wigan game I hope our defence tightens up as we will get murdered down the middle.

IMO:

Brent Webb
Scott Donald
Brett Delaney
Lee Smith
Ryan Hall
Danny McGuire
Rob Burrow
Kylie Leuluai
Danny Buderus
Jamie Peacock
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Keith Senior
Kevin Sinfield

Matt Diskin
Ryan Bailey
Luke Ambler
Chris Clarkson

Luke Burgess
Jay Pitts

I think its still a strong enough squad to beat them, but it will be a tough encounter and we will rely on a good kicking game from Sinfield and if Eastmond does play, the defence needs to be on top!

Very tough game in prospect and i think we need to improve everything about our game especially discipline with and without the ball.
Looking forward to this and i'm going for the Rhinos by 4.

I'd slide Delaney in at second row, instead of Senior.

Could be a good shout that, Delaneys got a great leg drive on him and can get us out of trouble if needed. I reckon Bluey will swap them round for good stints in the second row.

Only reason I would put Keith there is because I hear a rumour that we may not get any one else in for next season to take over Greg Eastwood when he goes, with Smith moving into the centre and Senior to Second Row for a season. This would be the biggest test of how well he will be able to play in that position IMO.

I do have them from time to time.



Look Seniors blend with Hall works.

Delaney hardly puts Donald away for much.

Delaney's strengths lie in his leg drive (as you rightly say) and his fron of defence.

A no-brainer for me.

Surprised people are preferring a centre in the back row rather than promoting Clarkson and having Luke Burgess on the bench.

I'd go with

Webb
Donald
Delaney
Smith
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Leuluai
Buderus
Peacock
Jones-Buchanan
Senior
Clarkson

Bailey
Burrow
Burgess
Diskin

A little lightweight on the bench, but it has lots of options, and is no lighter a 17 than we would go with, just different people in different starting positions. Senior in 2nd row helps him get on the ball more, and reduces his recent poor defence.

Plus Senior has mentioned in this weeks interviews that he is looking forward to working with Burrow again as he plays on his side. That won't change much if Senior operates at second row but if Senior stays centre it could re-ignite the left hand side strike.

Gotta fit the old guy in somewhere.

Senior and McClennan already stated he will play more in the back row, and with Smiths inclusion, this would bring this chance.

Burrow has to start! McGuire and Sinfield have simply died of death as a half back partnership. You'd be better off playing Lealuai and Ambler in the halves!

Is he a better back rower than Clarkson though or is he just being crowbarred in because he's Keith Senior?

Mm probably the latter.

Although, time will tell.

Leeds have to the start the strongest line up they can, even if this leaves the bench a bit light and inexperienced. Go out there and blast Saints off the pitch. JP and JJB will play a full 80 if it was upto them. You just cannot let Saints settle and get a couple of tries early on.

Leeds couldn't blast a crisp packet off the pitch at the moment.

At the risk of sounding like AP - Saints by plenty.

I’ve got a feeling Leeds will dismantle saints like a Lego set that’s getting put away.

Saturday will be a different day.Hopefully with a team looking a far better one that we saw on Friday.

Thats been said too many times this season. We're still making the same errors and still arn't playing to anywhere near our best.

Although I can see the merits of having Delaney and/or Senior in the second row I don't think this is the game to make such an experiment ...save that for next season....defence is critical.IMO we should go:

1 Webb
2 Hall
3 Delaney (to better contain the threat of Meli)
4 Senior
5 Donald (hopefully to get more running chances)
6 McGuire
7 Burrow
8 Kylie
9 Buderus
10 Peacock
11 JJB
12 Ali (Clarkson)
13 Sinfield

bench

Smith (game changer)
Bailey
Burgess
Ambler (alll three big lads which we will def need)

No Diskin?

No chance IMO. The only teams we beat by plenty are ones that give up - Leeds don't do that.

If we do win it will be by the narrowest of margins but if I was betting I'd say Leeds by 8.

I get the feeling that McClennan has targeted the cup and Leeds have been keeping their powder dry so to speak.

I would have in at the expense of Burgess.....but think we're gonna need big bench for this one and Smith gets the nod over Diskin for me. (we know Burrow and Sinfield can spell for Buderus if need be)

32-14 to Saints IMHO.

They will destroy us around the ruck all day. Short passes from dummy half to the likes of Graham and Wilkin with an offload from them. They destroyed Warrington that way and I don't rate our marker defence much. I just hope McClennen picked up on this because they have beaten us this way many times before.

But you'd like to think sooner or later we will do the business, could be doubtful but im hanging onto hope.



You could be right. They we're very strong around the ruck against Warrington. I just hope 1-17 for Leeds run their blood to water. That means the markers must work hard, win the wrestle and control the ptb.