Hemisphere opposition in the LV= Cup (is it the only cup competition with

punctuation in its name?). Some have suggested that the LV= has failed

to catch the enthusiasm of the rugby-watching public, and they're right.

Certainly for the Tykes, who still maintain some slight hope of survival

in the Premiership, this game is little more than a distraction.

The Tykes come off a performance against Bath that some of their most

optimistic supporters have described as "poor". The recent performance

against Bourgoin could best be described as "abject", and only then

because your correspondent wishes to avoid censorship. The only bright

spot in 2010 has been an Amlin Cup (no punctuation, see?) win in Parma

against a team already eliminated from the competition.

Sarries' form (that's a grim web-site they've got - it took me ages to

find the results) seems rather better. A recent win over Toulon

(including Jonny, no less) is the highlight, and solid form in the

Premiership is shown in their lofty league position.

A lot will depend, of course, on the teams that are selected. For the

last LV= outing the Tykes picked a second team which beat a makeshift

combined team of Leicester reserves and Nottingham players reasonably

comfortably. The team that played in the same competition at Sale was

similar, so we can expect the same from the Tykes.

Saracens will have to travel north without their main defensive weapon,

the effective David Rose. But they will probably still have enough

firepower to achieve a comfortable victory. They seem to have picked

reasonably strong sides in the LV= to date. [The team that was sent to Franklins Gardens was weaker than some line-ups that have represented the Storm. Ed]

Word has reached the frozen north that Sarries do not favour an open,

flowing game. Since the Tykes have similar issues (but for different

reasons), this game is not set to be a feast of open rugby. It will be

one for the purists, as they say.

Some Tykes supporters will approach the game with the view that it could

scarcely be worse than Bourgoin. However, it seems likely that many will

not approach it at all, and just stay away. The game is not included in

the season ticket, and the prices at the gate are steep. Moreover,

sister club the Leeds Rhinos are also playing on Friday night, in a game

that can be watched, free of charge, from a comfortable warm pub. There

are likely to be more fezzes than flat caps at the game.

If you are making the trip from the south, enjoy the game. If you want

me, I'll probably be in the Supporters Club watching t' Rhinos.

Useful Info

- Parking around the ground is tricky. Many roads are "permit only" on

  match days. Look around carefully for signs (they are well hidden).

  The area off Kirkstall Lane is best.

- The best beer before the game is in the Supporters Club in the South

  Stand car park (the South Stand is the "standing" one). And you could

  stay there and watch the Rhinos. There is little worth drinking in the

  ground, but pass outs back to the Club can usually be arranged.

- The Original Oak and Skyrack are near the ground but will be busy with

  students and sell little worth drinking. [The author may have overlooked the recent introduction of real ale into the ‘Oak, when penning this, then again, he may have tried the stuff and found it below his usual standards, Ed. Stop Press – T’author has recovered a brain cell and now recalls that the cask ale in the Original Oak IS to be recommended, however he counsels that the pub is likely to be busy.]

- Biltong is not available in the ground (bring your own). The food

  within the ground does not usually get rave reviews. Brett's chip

  shop on North Lane before the game is best.

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