They reckon so but theres a big difference between being fit and being match ready for a playoff game at Wigan isnt there?

Out of all i would think King is probably most doubtful due to probably needing a jab and an op but have to see what team is named and how it performs Thursday.

Mellor on the bench + Gannon starts.

Would be my side.

I'd expect Donaldson to play. He's a reliable player who covers second row, and prop/loose.

Donaldson played well last week too, I’d be telling him to imagine those red shirts to be HKR ones.

Yes I'd probably go with this, or even King for that final bench spot.

Very difficult to guess selections this year due to ongoing injuries etc.

We bullied Wigan last time and they have a slightly bigger pack available this time, I think we need to go big on them and also pick a good defensive balance now we're in the play-offs.

I doubt whether we can progress without Gale and with so many players carrying knocks, but who knows. Hope it's a good game.

Depending on the genuine level of fitness of the returning players i think Leeds have a good chance of progressing.This is a relatively average Wigan side. Strong defensively but other than Hastings lacks flair in attack.A probable trip to France awaits the winner and that might be a bridge too far for both sides

FWIW I don’t think Catalans will make OT, I don’t think the break and recent losses will do them any favours, it looks like Tomkins might be out for the season and all the pressure is in them, whoever goes over there will be able to do do with sll the expectation on the home side.

I also think Wigan will edge us out in a low scoring game of attrition

Gale hasn't done much this season. His kicking game has been terrible. He needs phasing out next season.

The benefit of Gale returning would be Myler being able to go to FB, he’s not had a good year though and it’s debatable whether the benefits would extend beyond that.

You'd have to back Wigan at home, however if our returning big guys are 90% fit we do have a decided edge in the middle of the field. Getting off to a good start will be vital.

Gale is a bit predictable but what he does do is engage that left hand side attack well. His kicking game isn't too bad - certainly a mile better than Myler's.

If we need a DG or a 40:20 I'd far rather Gale was in the side than Myler.

Also at this point Myler is probably better at FB than Broadbent, although Jack would run his blood to water as always.

These two sides are quite evenly matched in some ways. I don't actually think home advantage means much at this stage in a season. What I have seen from this young Leeds side is a ton of spirit, as long as we give it a good go, and we don't kill ourselves with errors and discipline again, I'll be happy.

Agree with a few others that Wigan start as favourites and a good start is key in getting us into the game.
Having a few key forwards coming in cold is also not helpful.
To win a play off game at Wigan our open play kicking and last tackle options will need to be significantly better than they have been for a long time when Gale has not played.
I’m sure the effort will be there, the challenge is can we produce the defence and quality with the ball to win a first play off game since the 2017 GF.
Hope so, it’s a good test for this side.

Broadbent
Briscoe
Newman
Hurrell
Handley

Lui
Myler

Oledzki
Leeming
Tetevano
Martin
Gannon
Prior

Dwyer
Holroyd
King
Smith

Big bench tomorrow, Agar confirmed tonight

Wow, that's really quite incredible when you see it in black and white!

Good luck Rhinos.

I’d guess we will leave out Gannon.

Madness if they did - he has been the best forward by distance in recent weeks - at least he appears to up for a battle - not sure the likes of Mellor, Martin are

What game do you watch? Gannon has been excellent for most of the year, but he is carrying a shoulder injury and has been a little quite for the last couple of appearances. Martin has looked very sharp of late, particularly in partnership with Lui. Mellor was playing his best rugby for Leeds before the injury. He might not be match fit, but it is an insult to suggest he wouldn't be "up for it."

Did Martin look sharp in the game against Saints - his effort especially in defence was woeful? The whole team looked good against Hull KR who capitulated without much of a fight.

Wigan might not be the force they were but one thing they will bring is fight - you may well say its an insult but I don't see much of that in either Martin or Mellor when the pressure is cranked up.

We must be watching different games

Yep I’ve been critical of Mellor previously but he was in the best form of his Leeds career before injury. Solid player in D; still would like to see more in attack but we need a high quality and settled 7 to give him a chance.

Honestly couldn’t pick a side tonight because of injuries. It worries me a bit whether many of these names on the team sheet really are fit to play in an intense game.

Agar did seem reasonably confident in the presser though. Just hope we give a tough account of ourselves whatever the result. I can totally handle being beaten by better sides but some of our self-destructive stuff is still infuriating.

Hope I'm wrong but got Wigan by 4 tonight. 20-16 ish.

Don’t get me wrong I’m a big Gannon fan, think we all are, I was just thinking he’d likely be up against Bateman in an away PO game at Wigan, not sure it’s the best for a 17 year old. Ten years ago we could have put Carl Ablett and Delaney up in Bateman’s grid to settle him down.

Who knows how much risk is being run playing Mik, Mellor and King, maybe Gannon still plays if they are all not really fit.
For mine never been keen on sending a boy to do a man’s job.

Any idea if we can pay on the gate tonight?

U might have to go to ticket office but there will be tickets available.

Looking forward to it tonight. Cant wait for work to end and get on the road.

Who's going over?