Rhinos v Wolves: Teams
Reigning Super League champions Leeds Rhinos host unbeaten league leaders Warrington Wolves in a mouth-watering clash on Friday.
Last Updated: 09/03/12 4:28pm
Reigning Super League champions Leeds Rhinos host unbeaten league leaders Warrington Wolves in a mouth-watering clash on Friday.
The Rhinos go into the game on the back of successive Stobart Super League wins over Widnes and Castleford to move up to fourth in the early table.
But Rhinos forward Jay Pitts admits the hosts will have to up their game if they are to make it three league wins on the bounce.
He told Rhinos TV: "Warrington are very strong. They have players who can hurt you right across the team and we know we have to be ready for a massive challenge.
"It was good to keep the momentum up from our last two games at Cas last week but we know that we will need to improve even more against the Wolves."
The Wolves came away with a 42-6 win at Leeds last year following their 40-24 home success, but the Rhinos then exacted revenge with a 26-24 play-off victory on their way to lifting the Super League crown.
Team news
The Rhinos are set to welcome back England international Ryan Bailey for Friday's clash.
Bailey has not featured since the World Club Challenge victory over Manly after suffering an Achilles injury but he is now back fit.
He replaces Paul McShane as the only change from the 19-man squad for last Friday's 36-14 win at Castleford.
Warrington make two changes to the squad which beat Bradford 23-10 last time, with Rhys Evans and Rhys Williams coming in for Brett Hodgson and Chris Bridge.
"They're a dangerous team," Wolves head coach Tony Smith said of his former club. "They're not too different to how they've been for a number of years now.
"If you don't do things well, they'll punish you. If you do things well, you still have to be on your game and take your chances."
Centre Ryan Atkins missed out on a place in the England training squad but Smith does not believe that will affect him.
"I think Ryan is more focused on just doing a great job," he added. "He's in good form and has been for some time. I've enjoyed watching his development. He's improving and strives to improve all the time."
Rhinos squad: Webb, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Hardaker, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Griffin, Moore, Pitts, Hood.
Wolves squad: Atkins, Blythe, Briers, Carvell, Cooper, Evans, Grix, Higham, Hill, McCarthy, J. Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Ratchford, Riley, Waterhouse, Westwood, Williams, Wood.