Don't fancy this one bit. Hopeful that it'll p1ss down.

A tough game in prospect for sure.the intensity levels will have to be cranked up but when the team is put in this position it normaly reacts in the best way.

Please let singleton start!!!!

Its gonna be a tough night and more importantly than anything we need 100% improvement defensively especially around the ruck otherwise Roby will beat us on his own.

History shows we can bounce back from a poor play off defeat but as TVOC points out ST's with their record at HQ wont be daunted one bit.

For me the Coach has to get his 17 and use of his bench bang on ,no passengers or players turning up looking like Mr Bump and turning out on one leg no matter "how brave" it seems.

I'd line up like this..

Hardaker

Hall

Moon

Watkins

Bjb

Sutcliffe

Burrow

JP

Sinfield

Singleton

Jjb

Ablett

Clarkson



Mcguire

Delaney(if fit)/Foster

Achurch

Leuluai

I predicted a few weeks back that the Saints were big dark horses in the play offs and that they could spoil a few clubs parties along the way, Lets hope that it's only Hull KR's party that gets spoilt in this seasons play offs



The key to stopping Saints on Friday night will mean that we're going to have to be very dominant in our defense and especially down the middle channel IMO because Saints can certainly rip you to bits with quick play the balls and offloads around the ruck area, they are renowned for pushing up in attack in this area anticipating offloads on the back of scrambling defenses



Both sides will see Friday's game as the ideal preparation going into sudden death semi final footy and this game could ultimately prove more beneficial to the winning side when they oppose the awaiting first round victors who have been left kicking their heels

I'm really looking forward to it. We've been in really good form over the last 8 or 9 weeks only losing narrowly to Warrington, although after the opening 20 minutes we played well in that game. Our injuries this season have meant we now look really fresh at this point in the season which isn't usually the case with us.



There's no better challenge for us than to play the current champions, if we win it opens the competition up and will give the others a boost as they won't have to face you guys which is what Warrington and Wigan will fear.



I'm not expecting us to win if I'm honest but I'm sure we'll give it a very good go and make it a really competitive game. Bring it on!

Reckon it will be a cracking game, plenty of match winners on both sides. Can see the lead changing hands a few times, it will all be down to who wants it the most.



Leeds must be favourites being a home game, forecast for Friday dry and warm.

I believe looking through this year's handbook that our one and only loss in a knockout game in the playoffs to St Helens was a 38-30 away defeat in 2001

Given that considerably more than half the England RLWC team and squad will be comprised of Rhinos players, it's crucial for the game in this country that they defeat St Helens on Friday and continue playing well beyond next weekend. Retaining their match fitness is far better preparation than the alternative of sitting on the sidelines for 5 weeks waiting for the RLWC to kick off.

I personally think we should recall McShane and Achurch.

But that would mean leaving out McGuire and Kirke and that is not going to happen.

Neither did anything to keep their place on Saturday.

I fear if we go into next season with the lack of pace from both Sinfield and McGuire we are going to struggle.

Hopefully this Friday I will be proved wrong.

We have played most of our season without James Roby and so have adapted to playing a more expansive game than previously. We now have a lot of pace and some guile in the backline and Hohaia appears to be stepping up in the halves. Our biggest weakness IMO is actually our pack, even though we don't have recognised halfbacks. If our pack goes soft again then we could be in for a long night. However, if our pack steps up, especially if LMS has one of his red mist nights, then we are in for a really good match.

Although HKR didn't provide much opposition Saints looked fast and their passing was crisp. The biggest concern for me is Roby and his ability around the ruck, if we have JP and Kylie on the field at the same time he will have a field day.



Leeds need a performance like Wigan not Warrington. Saints forwards will not dominate Leeds like Warrington did but Monaghan showed what a quality hooker can do to an ageing pack.