Jones-Bishop expecting improvement

Correspondent

Leeds winger Ben Jones-Bishop is confident his side can put their play-off defeat to Warrington behind them and stay in contention for a sixth Super League triumph in seven years, when they face St Helens in a repeat of the 2011 title decider at Headingly Carnegie on Friday.

Jones-Bishop, 25, knows the Rhinos will need to be at their best if they are to get back to winning ways against Saints and keep their Grand Final hopes alive.

“We felt very good going into the Warrington game, especially after the win against Wigan but it just didn’t go right for us on the day,” said Jones-Bishop.

“We’re going to have to put in a big week to prepare for the game against St Helens and make sure we come out on the right side of the result.

“But for us to have senior blokes like Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield in our team, who have been there and done it before, is a big boost as they’ve set the precedent. They lead and we follow and it’s all about the mind-set of do or die and being the most clinical team on the day and obviously we’ve managed to be that team in past years so hopefully we can be that team again.

“It won’t be easy because they’re all tough games at this stage of the season. The play-offs are a different type of intensity and pressure and everyone is capable of beating each other so you know you have to be on top in every match.”

Having been sidelined for over six months this year after discovering a blood clot in his lung at the back of the 2012 season, Jones-Bishop is overjoyed to be back in the game and would relish the chance to step out at Old Trafford on October 5.

He said, “It’s great to be back playing and I’m just delighted to be on the pitch again.

“It was a very frustrating six months for me, especially with this being the Rugby League World Cup year as well, so it was a big blow but it’s great to be back and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

“It’s great to be out there and I just hope that I can keep doing my bit for the team and hopefully help us progress. Getting to the Grand Final again would be brilliant but we have a long way to go to get back to Old Trafford so we’ll just take it game by game for now.”