Super League: Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos preview
Last Updated: 11/09/14 7:51pm
Leeds Rhinos will be aiming for avoid a fifth straight Super League defeat on Friday when they travel east on the M62 to take on rivals Hull FC at the KC Stadium.
The Tetley’s Challenge Cup winners have slumped in league action of late, going down to the likes of Bradford Bulls, London Broncos, St Helens and Wigan Warriors.The Rhinos are guaranteed to finish in sixth spot meaning a difficult road ahead in the end-of-season playoffs, although Hull would take that given the fact they have missed out on the top eight altogether.
Lee Radford’s men are only above relegated Bradford and London in the table and are seven points adrift of eighth-placed Widnes Vikings after 26 rounds of Super League.
Leeds coach Brian McDermott has resigned himself to a difficult playoff route, but is disappointed at their failure to make the top four.
“The likelihood is we are going to be fifth or sixth,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “We will plan for that.
“We are really disappointed we are not in the top four, that’s a big thing for us, but at the same time playoffs are an exciting prospect and we’ll try and do it from sixth if that’s what we’ve got to do.”
Team news
If the Rhinos are to buck their run of four straight Super League defeats, they will have to beat a Hull side which have won two and drawn one of their last five outings.
Richard Horne has recovered from a stomach bug and is set to make his final bow for the Airlie Birds, while Hull FC youngster Jack Logan has retained his place in the squad to face the Rhinos.
The centre, who made his second appearance against Huddersfield on Sunday, looks set to keep his place for the Rhinos’ visit to the KC Stadium, but there is no place for 17-year-old half-back Harry Tyson-Wilson.
Despite Friday’s clash being a dead-rubber in terms of league position, McDermott has named a strong Rhinos squad as they prepare for a tilt at the playoffs.
Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow are back in the 19-man squad and are set to feature for the first time since the Rhinos’ Challenge Cup victory over Castleford at Wembley.
Both have missed the previous two Super League outings but will be given until final practice on Friday evening to prove their fitness.
Hull FC: Bowden, Colbon, Cunningham, Ellis, Green, Hadley, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Lineham, Logan, Paea, Rankin, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Yeaman, Abdull
Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Watkins, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Keinhorst, Singleton
You can keep up to date with all Friday night’s action with our Super League Live Blog