Challenge Cup Preview: Leeds v St Helens
Leeds are boosted by the return of Joel Moon to the squad, with the Australian having recovered from an ankle injury.
It is an ankle problem, however, that keeps Steve Ward out of the semi-final.
The occasion is significant for Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock who are both playing in what will be their last Challenge Cup semi-finals after long and glittering careers.
It is Sinfield’s 11th semi-final, and Peacock’s 10th.
St Helens have James Roby back in the squad, after he was rested against Hull KR last week. He replaces Lewis Charnock as the only change for the Saints.
Should St Helens reach the final, it will be their first since 2008.
Leeds (19-man squad): Hardaker, Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Ablett, Delaney, Cuthbertson, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan, Singleton, Keinhorst, Handley, Garbutt.
St Helens (19-man squad): Turner, Jones, Swift, Burns, Walsh, Masoe, Roby, Amor, Vea, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Walmsley, Flanagan, Percival, Thompson, Richards, Greenwood, Dawson, Savelio, Quinlan.
Stats:
Leeds and St Helens meet in the sixth Challenge Cup semi-final between the sides since 2001 on Friday night. Leeds are appearing in a record 46th Challenge Cup semi-final on Friday.
The Rhinos have won 24 and lost 21 (also a record) of their previous semi-finals.
St Helens are appearing in their 35th Challenge Cup semi-final, having won 21 and lost 13 of their previous semi-finals.
Leeds’ Kevin Sinfield has scored points in 21 consecutive games against St Helens, a streak which started in the 2008 Super League Grand Final. He last failed to score in the 2008 Qualifying semi-final at Knowsley Road, where he missed his one goal attempt in a 38-10 defeat.
Previous Challenge Cup Meetings:
2014 (Round 5) Leeds 32 St Helens 12
2010 (Semi-Final) Leeds 32 St Helens 28 (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)
2009 (Round 4) Leeds 18 St Helens 22
2008 (Semi-Final) Leeds 16 St Helens 26 (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)
2004 (Round 5) St Helens 24 Leeds 14
2003 (Semi-Final) Leeds 33 St Helens 26 (after extra-time) (at McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield)
2002 (Semi-Final) Leeds 16 St Helens 42 (at JJB Stadium, Wigan)
2001 (Semi-Final) Leeds 22 St Helens 27 (at JJB Stadium, Wigan)
2000 (Round 5) Leeds 26 St Helens 20
1999 (Round 5) Leeds 24 St Helens 16
1994 (Semi-Final) Leeds 20 St Helens 8 (at Central Park, Wigan)
1992 (Round 2) Leeds 12 St Helens 32
1983 (Round 2) Leeds 13 St Helens 23
1978 (FINAL) Leeds 14 St Helens 12 (at Wembley Stadium)
1977 (Semi-Final) Leeds 7 St Helens 2 (at Central Park, Wigan)
1972 (FINAL) Leeds 13 St Helens 16 (at Wembley Stadium)
1971 (Round 2) Leeds 4 St Helens 0
1930 (Round 2) Leeds 5 St Helens 18
1911 (Round 2) St Helens 6 Leeds 11
Last 10 Meetings:
Leeds 46, St Helens 18 (SLR20, 3/7/15)
St Helens 16, Leeds 41 (SLR11, 17/4/15)
Leeds 12, St Helens 13 (SLR25, 29/8/14)
Leeds 32, St Helens 12 (CCR5, 26/4/14)
St Helens 14, Leeds 10 (SLR7, 28/3/14)
Leeds 11, St Helens 10 (SLPSF, 20/9/13)
Leeds 22, St Helens 30 (SLR15, 20/5/13)
St Helens 12, Leeds 20 (SLR5, 1/3/13)
Leeds 18, St Helens 31 (SLR14, 21/5/12)
St Helens 46, Leeds 6 (SLR8, 25/3/12)