Rhinos v Saints: Teams
Leeds have named an unchanged squad for the clash with St Helens, while the visitors welcome back Kyle Eastmond and Francis Meli.
Last Updated: 03/07/10 2:45pm
Leeds have named an unchanged squad for the eagerly-anticipated showdown with St Helens at Headingley on Saturday, while the visitors welcome back Kyle Eastmond and Francis Meli.
The Rhinos are still without the services of Brent Webb, Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai, Ali Lauitiiti, Matt Diskin, Luke Burgess and Kallum Watkins, all of whom remain sidelined with injury.
However, they have received a welcome boost with the news that prolific winger Ryan Hall has recovered from the knee complaint he picked up in the win at Warrington last week.
That 37-30 success should give Leeds real heart ahead of Saturday's clash, although they will be all too aware that their last match at Headingley saw them slump to a humiliating loss against Crusaders.
"We know that if we turn up with the right energy we will be a difficult side to face," said coach Steve McClennan.
"We have things we need to tweak at the moment and feel that we are playing at about 65% of our potential. We have got some troops on the sidelines getting ready to come back and hopefully we can gather some momentum as the season goes along."
Saints, who beat their old rivals 41-20 at Knowsley Road at the end of April, are strengthened by the return of Eastmond and Meli.
Half-back Eastmond has recovered from ankle ligament damage, while winger Meli has shaken off an Achilles problem.
However, Mick Potter will not be able to count on Tony Puletua or Kieron Cunningham who picked up knee and foot injuries respectively in the win over Salford.
Also unavailable are Sia Soliola, Jon Wilkin, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Gary Wheeler and Jamie Ellis who remain in the treatment room.
"Leeds showed the class they have got (against Warrington) and I think this Saturday is going to be a good clash again," said Saints assistant coach Kieron Purtill.
"We played an intense game against Wigan a couple of weeks ago which was probably the most intense Super League game I have seen for a couple of years.
"But the Leeds-Saints games have been up there. They are two big teams full of world class stars and that type of player raises their game for big games. This is certainly a big game."
Leeds Rhinos (from): 2. Scott Donald, 3. Brett Delaney, 4. Keith Senior, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Danny McGuire, 9. Danny Buderus, 10. Jamie Peacock, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 13. Kevin Sinfield, 15. Greg Eastwood, 16. Ryan Bailey, 17. Ian Kirke, 18. Carl Ablett, 20. Jay Pitts, 24. Luke Ambler, 25. Paul McShane, 26. Tom Bush, 27. Chris Clarkson, 28. Lee Smith
St Helens (from): 1. Paul Wellens, 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Kyle Eastmond, 8. Nick Fozzard, 10. James Graham, 13. Chris Flannery, 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 16. Scott Moore, 17. Paul Clough, 18. Matty Ashurst, 19. Chris Dean, 22. Andrew Dixon, 24. Jonny Lomax, 25. Jake Emmitt, 28. Shaun Magennis.Referee: Richard Silverwood