Richie’s Rhinos scrapping for survival while his old club, the Dragons, are still celebrating Challenge Cup glory... but he’s not bitter

RICHIE MYLER spent last weekend preparing for Leeds’ relegation scrap rather than lifting a Challenge Cup with Catalans – but has no bad feelings towards his former club.

The experienced half-back chose to return to England in search of trophies with the Rhinos, having been part of the Dragons team that only survived last year by winning the Million Pound Game.

But the two clubs have gone in opposite directions since, with Catalans making history at Wembley last weekend (below).

Myler and his Leeds teammates had the weekend off after their semi-final defeat to Warrington, and are now preparing for a crucial Qualifiers clash with Hull KR today.

But Myler said: “I was pleased for them. There’s been phone calls and FaceTimes this week. They’ve had a good party after that and it’s tremendous for them.

“When I was there you could see that Steve McNamara (above left) was about to turn it around and I’m made up for him because he had some doubters. “He’s proved everybody wrong. “After the game when they won here they’ve been on an upward curve and really kicked on.

“They’re going to strengthen again and I don’t think anyone’s going to want to play them in France.

“They’ve had question marks over whether the whole thing has been working, but this is their first piece of silverware and they’ll kick on.” Myler’s own focus has been securing a win against the Robins today that would go a long way to assuring the Rhinos’ top-flight future after opening wins over Championship sides Toulouse and London.

Myler said: “Fair play to the two teams we’ve played, they’ve had a good crack at us and tested us.

“Now we need to put an 80-minute performance in against a side of Hull KR’s quality. You know where you’re at after this one.

“No disrespect but we’ve played two Championship sides and this is our first crack at a Super League side and we know we need to turn up.

“We’ve ironed out some issues we’ve had over the year and known what’s been going on. It’s just about delivering.

“They’ve got a few exLeeds lads in their side which makes it a bit spicier but we’re focused on us.”