Brian McDermott to rest Leeds players ahead of Challenge Cup Final
Wednesday 19 August 2015 16:51, UK
Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has confirmed he will rest a number of players for Friday's Super 8s trip to Hull.
The Rhinos defend their Challenge Cup title against Hull KR at Wembley on August 29 and McDermott is happy to ring the changes for their post-season clash with the Black and Whites.
Centres Kallum Watkins and Joel Moon and forwards Brett Delaney and Adam Cuthbertson look likely to get the weekend off.
Delaney and Cuthbertson, who has a painful finger injury, are enforced absentees, while second rower Mitch Achurch will only feature at the KC Stadium if he passes the mandatory head test after being concussed during last Friday's win over Wigan.
Outside backs Ashton Golding and Ash Handley, who made their Super League debuts against the London Broncos 12 months ago when McDermott made wholesale changes ahead of last season's Challenge Cup final, are set to feature.
"Of course I'm tempted and there's no apology for that. There will be some players stood down this week," said McDermott.
"It's not like it's round five of the season. There are a lot of players who have played a lot of game time and physically they need that rest.
"It's the right thing to do regardless of the result on Friday night. I think I'd be resting some blokes anyway if we weren't in the Challenge Cup final."
Leeds paid the price for fielding a makeshift team in 2014 when bottom club London secured their only win of the season.
They have earned themselves a four-point cushion at the top of the table this year though, and McDermott insists the league leaders' shield remains a top priority.
"We want to finish top of the league, we desperately want the league leaders' shield," he added. "In my time as head coach, our finishing position is not great."
