He insists Leeds Rhinos are in the best position, but coach Brad Arthur admits the top-three race is too close to call.

Only for and against separates Rhinos, the Betfred Super League leaders, from Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves are a further two points behind in third place. Arthur’s side need one more point to mathematically guarantee they finish no lower than third and the top spot may be decided when they face Wigan at AMT Headingley a week on Saturday.

A points difference advantage of 192 means Leeds could lose one of their three remaining matches and still finish top, if they beat Wigan. Rhinos travel to bogey club St Helens, who are fighting to qualify for the play-offs, on Friday evening, 24 hours after Wigan play host to Hull KR.

Ash Handley scores one of Leeds Rhinos' 12 tries in the 66-16 win at York Knights which moved them back into top spot in Betfred Super League. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

Leeds, who have injury doubts over Jake Connor and Cameron Smith, are likely to be off the top of the ladder when their game kicks off, but will go back above Wigan if they win. “We’ve worked hard to get there, we’ve got to work even harder to stay there,” Arthur said of first place. “The boys aren’t shying away from that, but we’d much rather be in our position.”

Though the coach was pleased with his side’s approach to last Sunday’s potentially tricky game at York Knights, which Leeds won 66-16 after leading 36-0 at half-time, he accepts a lot could change over the next three weeks. “We’ve just got to make sure we front up with the same mentality against Saints and we’ll see what happens there,” he added.

“We’ll know a bit more each week, but I think it would be very hard for anyone to predict what’s going to happen in the competition at the moment. I think it’s great for the game, you’ve got a couple of teams fighting for the league leaders, it’s a really healthy position the game’s in.”