Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan insists his team are still some way from hitting top gear this season.
Rhinos coach expecting continued improvement in coming weeks
Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan insists his team are still some way from hitting top gear this season.
The defending Super League champions endured a stuttering start to their campaign with injury problems and a lack of form taking their toll.
But they have looked more like their old selves in recent weeks with a thrilling 37-30 win at Warrington last time out seeing them move to within a point of the top four.
They face old foes St Helens at Headingley on Saturday evening - live on
Sky Spoprts HD2 - knowing a win would put them above Hull, and McClennan feels there is plenty more to come from his troops in the weeks ahead.
"We know that if we turn up with the right energy we will be a difficult side to face," he stated.
"We have things we need to tweak at the moment and feel that we are playing at about 65% of our potential.
"We have got some troops on the sidelines getting ready to come back and hopefully we can gather some momentum as the season goes along."
Undermined by injury
Like Leeds, St Helens have been undermined by injuries to some of their key performers this term with the likes of Sia Soliola and Jon Wilkin barely contributing.
Despite that, Mick Potter's men have managed to maintain a strong challenge throughout the season and head into Saturday's game level on points with Warrington - form that has impressed McClennan.
"St Helens have been involved in some high-scoring games this season including our last game at Knowsley Road, which is unusual compared to our previous meetings in recent years," continued the Rhinos supremo.
"Saints have had their fair share of injuries this season too so it is impressive how well they have done."
Saints expecting tough clash
But Leeds' win at Warrington was the clearest signal yet McClennan's side are rediscovering the form that has taken them to three successive Super League titles, and Saints assistant coach Kieron Purtill is all too aware of their improvement and is expecting a high-quality encounter at Headingley.
"Leeds showed the class they have got (against Warrington) and I think this Saturday is going to be a good clash again," he said.
"We played an intense game against Wigan a couple of weeks ago which was probably the most intense Super League game I have seen for a couple of years.
"But the Leeds-Saints games have been up there. They are two big teams full of world class stars and that type of player raises their game for big games. This is certainly a big game."
