'No pressure' on Leeds Rhinos in sold-out Super League top-2 battle v Wigan Warriors says coach Brad Arthur

Rhinos have led Betfred Super League for much of the season, but enter the penultimate round level on points with second-placed Wigan. That means, barring a huge shock next weekend, the winners of tonight’s Sky-televised clash will seal the league leaders’ shield.

Wigan are on a 14-game winning streak which began with their Challenge Cup final victory against Hull KR in May and two points at AMT Headingley would be a step towards their second treble in three seasons. Leeds, though, are bidding to finish top of the table for the first time since 2015 and Arthur has urged his players to relish the opportunity.

“They are a good team and we have got a lot of respect for them, but we need to focus on ourselves and show ourselves some respect and really go after the occasion,” he stressed. “It’s our home ground, the majority of the place will be full of our supporters and we have got to make the most of the opportunity. There’s no pressure on us, we just need to go after it and enjoy it and be excited.”

With so much at stake, in front of a sold-out 19,000 crowd, the game will be a rehearsal for the play-offs, Arthur reckons. “It is a Grand Final before the Grand Final,” he added.

“You work hard for 26 rounds and it comes down to the two best teams currently and pretty much the winner gets the league leaders’. That’s where it’s at and there is a lot riding on the game. We are grateful we are here and we have got the opportunity to make it a reality.”

There is little practical difference between finishing first and second, both sides securing a bye through the first round of the play-offs followed by home advantage in the semi-finals. But Rhinos haven't won silverware since the Challenge Cup six years ago and Arthur feels the shield would be “a reward for everyone’s efforts”.

He stated: “Everyone has worked hard and we’ve got to work extremely hard to stay where we are. Since we got to first place we haven’t been knocked off so we have been that reliable, consistent team and it is up to us to stay there.

“The responsibility falls on our shoulders to show our appreciation to everyone in our club and our fans - it’s a reward for a lot of people behind the scenes who do a lot of work for the club. It’s important to everyone.”

Rhinos haven’t altered their preparations, despite the importance of tonight’s game. The coach, who is selecting from close to a full-strength squad, pledged: “We don’t want to change too much. The occasion will take care of itself - the mood feels different, everyone’s upbeat and excited.

“We had our pre-season camp in Tenerife and you talk about all these wonderful dreams and things you want to try and achieve. You set targets and, unfortunately, for the majority of teams in the competition those don’t become reality. I have been part of that plenty of times.

“This is reality for us and Wigan right now, winner takes all. We have worked hard to get ourselves in this position - it’s hard to get there, but harder to stay there and we are up for the fight.

“When I first arrived did I think two years’ time in we’d be in this opportunity? No. At the start of this year it was a dream and now it’s a reality. It’s credit to the club where we’ve got to, but it’s no good [just] getting here, we have to make the most of it.”

He added: “These opportunities don’t come along every year. We are up for it, excited by it and really looking forward to the opportunity, but we need to approach it the same as we’ve approached every other week.

“We have been slowly building for finals intensity and this has a bigger feeling to it than ever. The boys understand what the occasion means to everyone, but we are trying our best to make sure we stay focused on the day to day process and when we get to game day, go after it and make the most of it.”