They play at Magic every year and have a pretty good record (a lot of matches vs Wakey TBF) so I don't think the ground will be an issue.....the atmosphere with fans all mixed in etc. doesn't put it in the same bracket as Wembley and Old Trafford. Although for the first time they are in one of the headline final games of the day so a little difference there I suppose.

We've got plenty of experience in big grounds but we've underperformed at Magic for a while and I think it's because we don't treat it like a big occasion. That's what we need to change this year in our approach, should go there like we're playing in a playoff or cup game, that's definitely the sense you got for Wigan's performances against us over the years. I'm hoping that part of the reason we've underperformed against Hudds and Catalans is that we've had half an eye on and been focusing on this fixture instead and looking to peak for it. It wouldn't be the first time we've looked poor before a big game and then been clinical come the big game if it were to happen.

yes, if they have 'happy hour' in his local pub he would be asked to leave ! never seen a guy look so miserable

Galloway up before the beak for striking, grade A EGP available so should be free to play on Sunday.

Rangi Chase has gone on loan to Widnes for the rest of the season and won't be offered a new contract by Cas when his deal ends this season.

Good move by Cas, don't need him, they've been forcing him on from the bench lately and it didn't really work as well as the obvious off field troublesome distraction factor.

And NO we shouldn't sign him next season.

Galloway has been good since his return. For a big fella, he's got an engine.

Rangi...on his day unplayable......those days are few and far unfortunately. Could have been.

What exactly does striking mean in this case?

Didn't have many problems over turning a 14-0 deficit against last year's league leaders at the very same ground ....

Chill.....you are this seasons benchmark. When playing at the top of their game Cas have looked fantastic....a pleasure to watch. We on the other hand are very hit and miss. A favourable route to the QF of the CC and some good and bad performances in SL would suggest a comfortable victory for Cas at MM. But we do have some history of upsetting the apple cart. Don't have a go at us for clutching at that particular straw.

Should be a good game on Sunday. Leeds have looked better in attack since Moon moved to 6. Parcell is a good hooker and Cuthburtson is top draw I do wonder about the quality of your kicking game in a tight game / show piece occasion . Moon isn't that sort of player and I've never rated Mcguire on that front. That said , Leeds have been on a good run since the demolition at Cas which ironically spring boarded your season somewhat.

I know what it sounds like but that probably the most depleted we've gone into a game all season, which is looking like the worst fixture to be depleted for.

Should have (providing no late injury issues midweek) Galloway, Garbutt, Ferres, Ward, JJB and Burrow all in the team that didn't play at Cas (those first 5 probably all in the starting 13). That's a full starting pack there along with Moon and Sutcliffe swapping positions since then which has changed things a lot.

First off they won one more game than us...true they are only 2 points ahead of us but they also scored 27 more tries than us or there is a 137 difference in total number of points they scored...at the moment they conceded less tries than us. Mind I was surprised they made more errors than us. So in those terms they are ahead of us.

They seem more consistent in their performance, they play an exciting kind of rugby ,from what I have seen they do not seem to drop off during matches. Powell seems to have installed a confidence in them...their loss against Hull FC was worse than the previous week when they lost to Saints as they had a man advantage. However they seemed to be back on form. Your right though they not won trophies yet which is why after Cas defeat I felt it premature people saying he should replace Mac...even if they won just the one trophy I would be sceptical of a return to him.

Returning to Sunday, we have played some exciting rugby ,even parts of yesterdays match against a League 1 side there were passages of play I enjoyed watching. However we have to get out of the habit of switching off for periods which has happened in most matches. On paper we have a enough of the players from treble winning side to say not to mention those that won multiple trophies who can use this experience to win the match..not just by a short margin but comfortably ...There has been on the whole a vast improvement from last season ..things starting to turn ,it's getting exciting to watch them but but still get feeling their confidence or belief is not at its highest..need to eliminate 2016 mentality completely...If we cut down errors , penalties ..come out running from off ..then this could be a great contest...I would also hope it will give us the springboard to ascend the top of the table ..starting with breaking Wire...A warning letter from GH before the match might not go amiss...defeat is not an option. For the record I like the style Cas play, Salford not bad either but won't lie I want to see another era of Leeds domination..this time complete.

Am I missing something or is our game the ONLY game on TV on the Sunday?
Just looked at the Sky TV guide and it's the only one listed. They also have 2 premier league matches, Scottish football, tennis, IPL Cricket & RU 7's
WTF

The others are on Sky Sports Mix, which is channel 407.

So they are
For some reason they don't show that channel when you at the online TV guide

Looks like the weather may do us a favour , as I fear on dry sunny track , they would run us ragged with their offloads & quick support play. Their pack is far more mobile than ours , & they have a superb offload game.
However, if it continues to rain & we have a wet, damp day this must affect their game plan far more than ours.
Whatever the conditions, as previously said , if our last tackle options - the main one has to be to put everything in the air to Eden ( he is an accident waiting to happen ) , we will be under too much pressure and our defence will not cope.
We also need to knock the s__t out of Gale - with or without the ball, and for once , our coach needs to use all 17 players, in order to spread the load.
The above is not rocket science, but it will give us a chance.

but we offload more than any other team in the league
and i remember Cas away was on a night with crap weather too

Expecting

Golding
Briscoe Watkins Sutcliffe Hall
McGuire Moon
Galloway Parcell Cuthbertson
Ferres JJB
Ward

Burrow Delaney Singleton Garbutt

Mullally Baldwinson

If Garbutt and Delaney are fit this week I'd expect

Golding
Briscoe - Watkins - Sutcliffe - Hall
McGuire - Moon
Galloway - Parcell - Cuthbertson/Garbutt
Ferres - Ward
JJB

Burrow
Delaney
Singleton
Garbutt/Cuthbertson

Certain JJB will be at loose not Ward who'll be 2nd row. Question will be do you start with Cuthbertson who gives you offloads or Garbutt who gives you the metres (Galloway seems a certain starter when fit). Do you want to fight fire with fire a bit and start with Cuthbertson's offloads from the off or introduce them after 20 mins after Garbutt has hopefully eaten up a lot of metres to get us on the front foot.

You have to go with Cuthbertson who offers both attacking options and high tackle count. Garbutt offers good meters but a lot less in defense so better as impact off the bench. We will need our defenders early as Cas usually start fast and we need the maximum attacking options against their good defense.

On paper that's a 17 as good as any. If Hardaker is fit Cas will have advantage at FB & HB. Leeds have better 3/4s but the inability to set them free. Should be cracking.

Whilst Cuthbertson is the better defender I wouldn't say the gap between them is significant. Cuthbertson is the better option to move the ball around but maybe completing sets and making meters and making sure Cas have to start sets as close to their line as possible is the best way to start the opening quarter instead of throwing it about, offloading and taking risks that see us cough up ball in our own half and gifting them good position.

We won't win the game in the opening 20 mins but we could well lose it if we lose the field position battle and a lot of the opening quarter is played near our end. I also say that Cuthbertson is arguably better at offering impact from the bench than Garbutt as he'll hopefully be able to get more offloads off against tiring defenders.

Anyone want 4 x free Newcastle v York tickets for Friday night? Collect East Leeds

My main worry with this fixture is our edge defense - with Sutcliffe probably playing left that means our defense on our left edge is Hall, Burrow, Sutcliffe. Luckily Cas's right edge attack isn't as good as their left edge attack and that's where mainly I think we have the problem in "where to play McGuire"
Their main attack is on their left edge with Shenton and Eden being outside of Gale and Hardaker.
We MUST have a plan to stop Gale, he is their main play-maker, nearly every left edge move starts with him. What about assigning someone permanently on him (Steve Ward maybe).
We have to close him down the second he receives any pass.

two things I am laughing at there, and nothing to do with you, just the points raised and reminiscing.
.
Firstly, Brough has done this for years to us, and we have never managed it with him either, so not sure it is a tactic in the coaches locker.

Secondly, and the bit chuckling at. Many moons ago it always used to be the job of the loose to keep in tact the oppossition scrum half, that was his job in defence, and ball player in attack. So the point you made and the player responsible is perfect. But the modern game has moved so far away from this it is ridiculous, why I don't know.

Its only 5 years ago since Carl Ablett did a decent job on Lee Briers in the 2012 Grand Final against Warrington. Would still love to know what he said to him after scoring his try !