Thrills all the way

WHO would have thought that one of the more exciting games this weekend would be 10th versus ninth?

In the last few years that would have been unheard of. Those sort of games meant very little.

OK, a side that low might have still sneaked into the play-offs – probably only to lose in the first knockout game. But this season, under the new structure, eight teams are still flirting with either a top-four finish or a relegation scrap.

Only Wakefield are already doomed to a showdown with the elite Championship sides, while the top three

Leuluai is expected to return tonight against Castleford following a threemonth lay-off after shoulder surgery.

But full-back Zak Hardaker, winger Tom Briscoe and forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan are all crocked.

McDermott now needs his injury-hit league leaders to step up against a dangerous Tigers side.

He said: “I don’t think we’re healthy at the moment. I know we’re top but we’ve not been in good shape for a number of weeks.

“Cas are a good team who can play really well and they have been off in some games, which I can imagine is frustrating for them. But we have to prepare for a very good version of Cas.”

Former Rhinos prop Ryan Bailey is expected to return from injury for Cas to face his old club for the first time.

Hooker Scott Moore also returns but Justin Carney, Luke Dorn, Frankie Mariano, Matt Cook and Lee Jewitt are unavailable.

clubs look clear of the pack. That means the rest are fighting for every point over the remaining few games before they split into the ‘Super Eights’.

And so Sunday’s game between Hull KR in 10th and Widnes, one place and three points above them, has an unheard of excitement about it.

Both teams simply have to win if they are to avoid finding themselves with too big a gap to claw back.