By leedsrhinos.biz
July 5 2007

This Friday sees Leeds Rhinos take on St Helens in Merseyside, as well as another top four clash; Wigan V Bradford. But of course, our eyes are on the game we've been waiting for all season - It's Saints V Leeds at KR. We've got a full match preview as well as the 18 man squads.

This Friday sees Leeds Rhinos take on St Helens in Merseyside, as well as another top four clash; Wigan V Bradford.

Of course, the game we’re concentrating on is the big’un. Many questions were asked after the disappointing defeat to local rivals Bradford Bulls last Friday, but Tony Smith has had seven days to put things right. 

Leeds are practically back to full strength (apart from Gibso who has had a full knee reconstruction and Jamie Thackray) with second row Ali Lauitiiti and prop Nick Scruton both returning to the Rhinos A side after injury. 

Super League’s pocket rocket is once again included in the squad, making his 200^th appearance tomorrow at Knowsley Road.

More good news comes from the Saints camp as it’s no return for scrum half Sean Long with a calf injury. Also winger Francis Meli with a knee injury and forward Bryn Hargreaves with a thumb injury fail to make arguably St Helens biggest game of the season.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Pryce, Fozzard, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Wilkin, Roby, Bennett, Graham, Moore, Smith, Clough, Fa'asavalu, Tyrer. 

Leeds Rhinos: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Scruton, Kirke, Tansey, Hall.

 

leedsrhinos.biz Match Prediction: Well we’re going to be optimistic here – Saints (World Champions) are the clear favourites to win tomorrow, but who knows, we are one of the only teams capable of challenging them for the title. So I’m going to say; Saints 24 Leeds 29. Expect some drop goals. We need to get into them right from the start and stop their forward momentum.

For ticket information, get logged onto the Saints site – www.saintsrlfc.com.

Make your way down to Merseyside – get behind the lads.

Don't forget this game is also on Sky Sports tommorow, with Eddie, Stevo and Phil starting the programme at 7:30pm.