Leeds Rhinos' key strength identified as St Helens boss Eamon O'Carroll insists 'we have to be very good'

Assessing Rhinos ahead of their trip to Saints on Friday, O’Carroll described the Betfred Super League leaders as “a real classy team” and insisted: “I like what they do with the ball.” But he stressed: “One thing I think they’ve got over the last couple of years is the element of real toughness about them and an attritional nature to their game now as well, which makes them even harder to break down.”

Seventh-placed Saints are 10 points behind Rhinos, but have also begun to show their mettle as the season enters its final stages. They seemed out of the play-off race when they lost at home to Hull FC three weeks ago, but successive wins against Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers have left them just two points behind Hull KR in sixth spot.

With the Robins sending a below-strength side to Wigan 24 hours earlier, Friday’s game is an opportunity for Saints to move nearer the top-six and O’Carroll added: “It’s going to be a big challenge, one we’re excited about.

“Obviously we’ve hit some form in recent weeks - which is fantastic - and we’re getting an opportunity now to test it against the in-form team in the competition. They are a professional outfit and they’ll just be seeing us as a team that’s in their way.

“I think we’ll have to make sure we’re at our best. We have to obviously be respectful of where they sit and they deserve to be there.”

Though Leeds won 24-16 at AMT Headingley two months ago, Saints have been their bogey side in recent seasons and that was only the Rhinos’ third victory in the teams’ last 24 meetings. Not surprisingly, O'Carroll admitted: “We always enjoy playing Leeds. They are always great games and I’m sure it’ll be the same again on Friday night.

“Leeds are a quality team, but they’re human just like us; we’re going to have to be very good if we want to perform and give ourselves the best chance of winning. It’s going to be a tough game, but one we’re excited about.”