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Brian McDermott's Headingley return excites Brian Carney

Picture by Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com - 22/09/2019 - Rugby League - Betfred Championship Playoffs - Toronto Wolfpack v Toulouse Olympique - Lamport Stadium, Toronto, Canada - Head Coach Brian McDermott of Toronto Wolfpack.
Image: Toronto Wolfpack coach Brian McDermott is set to return to Headingley for the first time since being sacked as Leeds Rhinos coach in Round 6 of the Betfred Super League

Brian Carney is looking forward to Brian McDermott's Headingley return when Toronto Wolfpack face Leeds Rhinos in Round Six of the Betfred Super League...

Without a doubt, there's some real blockbusters coming up in 2020 for you here on Sky Sports - but for me, the headline act will kick-off Round Six, when Brian McDermott comes back to state-of-the-art Headingley with big-spending Toronto Wolfpack.

The four-time Grand Final winning coach was unceremoniously dumped out of Leeds in July 2018, and I'll be fascinated to see how Big Mac plays it in the build-up - will he address any of his comments around that departure; or simply smile, nod, say "the past is the past"… and focus on challenging the new boys to perform on one of the great rugby league stages?

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Toronto Wolfpack head coach Brian McDermott gives his views after the Canadian side won promotion to Super League

Five games in, how will the eight-time Super League champions have started the campaign, on the back of clashes with last year's runners up Salford, and Cup winners Warrington? It's a hugely important season for the Rhinos - who cannot, I emphasise, afford another poor start.

Brian McDermott led Leeds Rhinos to four Super League Grand Final wins during his tenure
Image: Brian McDermott led Leeds Rhinos to four Super League Grand Final wins during his tenure

What reception will McDermott get? He won there with Harlequins a decade ago - a repeat would be massive.

And what shape will the big-spending Wolfpack be in, having faced teams who know the way to Old Trafford in their opening four? How will Sonny Bill Williams, the reputed $10m man, fare in Super League? And who else might the Wolfpack bring in?

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Little doubt in my mind that McDermott would love nothing more than to get one over on his old employers - it all adds up to one of the most eagerly-anticipated Thursday nights here on Sky Sports. I can't wait!

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