I don't disagree with the tactic, but Wigan can open teams up from anywhere and the likes of Tomkins and Charnley can certainly start and finish a break very quickly.

The Wigan forwards were outstanding at the beginning of the season. A couple of weeks ago that same group of forwards were a shadow of them former selves. I suspect they really needed the rest. Wigan will without a doubt be much better this time around and our hopes are pinned onto conditioning staff in getting the pack rejuvenated and ready to do it all again after a big effort against Saints.

Not sure about that. I reckon that winning the cup and finishing 4th has taken the pressure off.

I wouldn't be surprised to see O'Loughlin make a miraculous recovery adding fuel to the fire of Hemmings' call for him to be the Man of Steel.

Essentially, we need a typical Rhinos big game performance!

Complete all our sets, finish them with a good kick, take points when they're available even if it means kicking penalty goal after penalty goal.....

We all know the drill!

Leeds seem most vulnerable when teams shift the ball wide rapidly early in the tackle count. Wigan can do this with great effect, when they set up for ''the move'', it's signed, sealed, telegraphed and emailed to the defence in advance, but even though you can see it coming, stopping it is another matter. They always seem to manage to work that overlap for charnley.

To win Leeds have to dominate in the forwards, restrict their quick PTBs and cut off supply to their dangerous runners. If our side were at full strength it would need a top performance on their ground in a semi final, but to perhaps have to start without either JJB or Delaney or both will be a big ask.

Against the Saints JJB went off after about 25 minutes and Delaney followed him before halftime and it was a good job that Kirke and Bailey both stood up to the mark off the bench in the go forward department. Can they repeat this week and can Singleton make up for the lost carries and learn from his defensive mistakes. Can't wait to find out.

really wouldn't like to call this.massive game. a real cracker in store

I dont think Singo would let anyone down if he was called upon. He's a lad that will have a lot of fire in his belly after a poor performance against Wire, infact Im looking forward to him lining up in a revved up pack. I think if we were to lose JJB and Delaney it will only bring out the fire in Bailey and Kirke as it did last week.

News is that Delaney, BJB and McGuire are injury concerns. Sutcliffe in for McGuire if necessary and maybe a recall for McShane. BJB would be the difficult one to replace, I wouldn't want to see Ablett in the centres, we need him in the pack.

Joel Vickery is on stand by.

Behave.

Same 19 as last week

Hey remember, who was the only team Vickery scored a try against

Lets hope he is better than Joe!

Just heard Delaney fit but JJB unlikely

Not likely.

In that case I'd run with the same format as last week with Clarkson coming in for JJB. Lets him get through lots of tackling early doors and possibly bring in Singleton for Achurch.

He was that significant that I forgot his name!

As I left home this morning I'm sure I heard on Radio Leeds that JJB was in the squad.

Difficult one. Your logic is good re Clarkson's tackling (and stamina) but I rather think Achurch offers better range of cover from the bench (Most forward positions and backs too) Pity as I like Singleton's direct running style but in this game experience will be important.

I know prior to the Saints match JJB was quoted in the YEP saying

[iMy knee is a bit sore, but I’m hopeful I’ll be okay. If I can get through it and we get the win, then I will definitely be better for the semi-final from having some more minutes under my belt.[/i

To say it was sore going into the Saints game then going off 25 mins into the match, it would be a big gamble to play him this week. After doing it the hard way against Saints it will take a massive effort to get over this Wigan pack, even more so if JJB goes off injured again.

Both he and Delaney are in the 19 as they want to give them every chance to get fit. As of yesterday Delaney looks like making it but JJB unlikely. However our medics have magic sponges so you never know.

Both are such important members of the team that it will be hard without either.

I hope Delaney is fitter than he has been for the last two games.

The bench IMO has lots of options anyway:

Bails and Kirke (prop/second row/'loose')

Sutcliffe (halves - looose - second row)

Can cover a few bases.

The likelihood is either Achurch/Singleton are likely to get one stint from the bench, so depends what Mac wants from that stint.