Leeds Rhinos v St Helens: Challenge Cup semi-final preview
Last Updated: 31/07/15 8:50pm
Leeds coach Brian McDermott is hoping his players' new-found freedom will take them back to Wembley.
The Rhinos ended a 15-year wait to get their hands on the Challenge Cup with last year's final victory over Castleford and McDermott says that enabled them to go into this year's competition with the shackles off.
Their confidence will be put to the test in a mouth-watering first semi-final against reigning Super League champions St Helens at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night.
"There is less pressure to not lose but there is equal desire to win," McDermott said.
"And in actual fact we're in a better position now. We're more confident than we were last year. We look forward to it more.
"Relaxed is probably the wrong word but the pressure that the group felt – and I certainly felt - to get the job done was immense leading into the final against Castleford.
"I think relief overrode most other emotions, and I think that has helped us this year. We've almost gone into the competition with the shackles off."
Leeds are without second rower Stevie Ward, who has failed to recover in time from an ankle injury but McDermott has recalled centre Joel Moon after he sat out last Sunday's Super League win over Catalans Dragons with a minor Achilles problem.
Overdue
While Leeds, playing in a record 46th semi-final, are aiming to reach their fifth final in six years, Saints have their sights set on a first Wembley appearance since they completed a hat-trick of triumphs in 2008.
Keiron Cunningham, who played in all three of those cup successes, has already enjoyed a remarkable first season as head coach and would love to top it off with a long-overdue trip to Wembley.
"I was fortunate enough to win the Challenge Cup seven times," said Cunningham. "Perhaps back then we took it for granted that we would always be there and in with a chance.
"If you haven't been there for a while you kind of think that you should be - but it isn't as easy as that.
"It would be nice to get there and lift the cup but we have the small matter of taking on the best team in the comp first."
Cunningham has recalled hooker James Roby and prop forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook after resting them against Hull KR last Friday.
Leeds have done the double over Saints in Super League this season Cunningham says they will need to start well on Friday night.
"Leeds are packed with danger men," he said. "You can pick a number they are all great players and would probably walk into any side.
"They have had the wood over us this season. I have no doubt they will head into the tie confident but we should too.
"We are playing well and, if we play as well as we did against Hull KR, then we will give ourselves a chance.”
Leeds Rhinos: Carl Ablett, Paul Aiton, Tom Briscoe, Rob Burrow, Adam Cuthbertson, Brett Delaney, Mitch Garbutt, Ryan Hall, Ash Handley, Zak Hardaker, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jimmy Keinhorst, Kylie Leuluai, Danny McGuire, Joel Moon, Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield, Brad Singleton, Kallum Watkins.
St Helens: Kyle Amor, Travis Burns, Matty Dawson, Mark Flanagan, Josh Jones, Joe Greenwood, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Mose Masoe, Mark Percival, Adam Quinlan, Greg Richards, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Adam Swift, Luke Thompson, Jordan Turner, Atelea Vea, Alex Walmsley, Luke Walsh.