The key reason for this very strange state of affairs is January's cold snap, when the Tykes game at Manchester was frozen off. Manchester have no floodlights, and so cannot accommodate a midweek game, and the Tykes' progress in the cup has left them without a free weekend. So Manchester have agreed to play a "home" game "away".

This will have disappointed some of the travelling Tykes fans, who were looking forward to a trip to the Manchester club. Manchester are one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. They were founded in 1860, eleven years before the RFU came into being. Their long history is full of internationals and British Lions, and they have provided two RFU presidents. John O'Driscoll represented Ireland while playing for Manchester in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Several links exist between the Manchester and Leeds clubs. Alan Dickens played for Manchester before coming to Leeds, via Sale. Erik Lund has also represented both. In addition, Bev Risman, a dual-code international and a legend with those who watch League at Headingley, played some of his Union for Manchester.

Manchester played, appropriately enough, in Manchester until the late 1970s, when they moved to their current home in Cheadle Hume. Their setup includes everything we've come to expect from a "proper" rugby club: teams at all levels, a thriving minis section, and a clubhouse that's free to enter after the game.

Earlier this season (it seems such a long time ago now), the Tykes beat Manchester (this time really at "home") with some comfort 57-0, and no doubt more of the same will be expected this week. Certainly, Leeds should win, but there is no place for complacency. Recent games have seen the collective foot come off the collective pedal once the game seemed to be won, and players and coaches will have the Newbury game at the weekend on their minds. And of course there is the small matter of the cup final.

Manchester are rock bottom of the league; they have nothing to lose. We take them for granted at our peril ...

Team-wise, with three games in eight days, squad rotation is now more important then ever. Several players played full games against Moseley, so presumably they will not feature. We can expect Dr Strange to come in for Dr Bernado, Rawlo (who only warmed the bench at Moseley) for Maisie, HP (another Moseley bench warmer) for Barrow, and further shuffling round. Key players like Oakley and Clark were removed early against Moseley, and can be expected to feature, if only from the bench.

Five points from Manchester and another five from Newbury a few days later will win the league. Bring it on!

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