SUPER 8S PREVIEW: Leeds v Castleford
Leeds were on the end of a humiliating 46-16 thrashing at the hands of Catalans Dragons in Perpignan at the weekend, and they will be keen to bounce back in style against their local rivals.
Kallum Watkins returns to the threequarter line after missing the defeat in Perpignan, as well as the previous game against St Helens.
A hand injury keeps Mitch Achurch out of contention, while Jimmy Keinhorst is absent with an eye problem.
Cstleford make only one change from the squad which lost a high-scoring game to St Helens at The Jungle last time out.
Matt Cook returns to the group in place of French prop Gadwin Springer.
Leeds (19-man squad): Hardaker, T. Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, S. Ward, Delaney, Cuthbertson, Singleton, Walters, Golding, Lilley, Garbutt.
Castleford (19-man squad): Dorn, Shenton, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, Milner, Millington, O. Holmes, Cook, Boyle, Moors, Wheeldon, Solomona, Finn, Channing, McMeeken, Gibson, Maher, McShane.
Stats:
Zak Hardaker needs two tries to reach a career century of touchdowns. Hardaker has scored 65 tries for Leeds since 2011, to go with representative scores for England (three, 2012-2013) and England Knights (two, 2012). He also scored 28 tries for previous club Featherstone (2010-2011).
Kallum Watkins needs one try to reach a career century of touchdowns. Watkins has scored 91 tries for Leeds since 2008, to go with eight scores for England since 2012.
Ryan Hall needs three tries to reach 200 for Leeds. Hall has touched down 197 times in 250 games for the Rhinos since 2007. Hall has scored tries in the Rhinos’ last three meetings with Castleford (2-2-1).
Andy Lynch (currently on 199) needs one appearance to move clear of LEON PRYCE into stand-alone fourth place in the list of all-time leaders for games played.
Super League Summary:
Leeds won 29 (includes win in 2000 play-offs)
Castleford won 12 (includes win in 1999 play-offs)
Three draws
Leeds highest score: 76-12 (H, 2009) (also widest margin)
Castleford highest score: 38-20 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)
Last 10 Meetings:
Leeds 24, Castleford 31 (SLR18, 11/6/15)
Castleford 12, Leeds 26 (SLR8, 3/4/15)
Castleford 10, Leeds 23 (CCF, 23/8/14) (at Wembley Stadium)
Leeds 24, Castleford 24 (SLR21, 17/7/14)
Castleford 14, Leeds 22 (SLR12, 8/5/14)
Leeds 42, Castleford 24 (SLR18, 7/6/13)
Leeds 28, Castleford 12 (CCR4, 19/4/13)
Castleford 14, Leeds 12 (SLR2, 10/2/13)
Leeds 40, Castleford 22 (SLR18, 24/6/12)
Castleford 14, Leeds 36 (SLR5, 2/3/12)