Rhinos v Dragons: Teams

McClennan: tough game

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Leeds coach Brian McClennan has insisted their semi-final clash against Catalans Dragons will not be a walkover - despite the Rhinos having handpicked their opponents.

The defending Super League champions were given a choice of opponents in the last four courtesy of the new Club Call system and, perhaps unsurprisingly, they opted for the lowest ranked side left in the competition.

St Helens - who the Dragons beat to reach the play-offs - therefore face a mouthwatering encounter with local rivals Wigan but McClennan thinks the French side's recent form must dispel the notion of an easy option.

Catalans beat the Rhinos 32-30 at Stade Gilbert Brutus in June but have nevertheless suffered heavy defeats on all four of their previous visits to Headingley.

"We're under no illusions that we are going to be in for a tough game," McClennan said. "Their form is very good and they have got a lot of class players.

"They beat St Helens in the final Super League game at Knowsley Road and then beat Wakefield and Huddersfield away in the play-offs so we know they can travel.

"They don't have the best record at Headingley but that won't come into it on Friday. It is 80 minutes away from the Grand Final at Old Trafford so it's going to be a tough game whoever we play."

McClennan has named an unchanged 19-man squad which includes prop Luke Burgess, who missed the win over Hull KR a fortnight ago with a foot injury.

Inspiration

Victory for the Dragons on Friday would make them the first team to finish outside the Super League top three and still reach the Grand Final.

According to coach Kevin Walters, they are taking inspiration from the Parramatta Eels, who have reached this season's NRL Grand Final after also finishing eighth in the regular season.

"It is possible if you have that belief," said Walters, whose squad also remains unchanged from that which beat the Giants 16-6 last week. "Things like that can really happen if you want them to.

"Leeds and St Helens have been dominant for the last ten years so whoever Leeds picked, it was going to be a tough match for us."

Leeds 19-man squad: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Worrall, Watkins.

Catalans 19-man squad: Greenshields, Mogg, Pelo, Bosc, Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Raguin, Carlaw, Baile, Elima, Gossard, Duport, Touxagas, Fakir, Ryles, Casty, Bird, Martins.