The champions' head coach cut a relaxed figure yesterday at the pre-Grand Final press conference at Old Trafford.

Leeds tackle St Helens in the season's climax for the third consecutive year on Saturday and have been installed as favourites by the bookmakers.

But McClennan, who steered his side to their second victory last season in his debut campaign after succeeding Tony Smith, considers his current crop of players to have taken their game to a new level of performance ahead of the latest showdown between the two intense rivals.

"I think we have played better football at times this year," he said, with Leeds having displaced Saints from top spot for the first time since 2004.

"There's a bit more footy in us compared to last time around.

"We have been more inconsistent as well but in the end it's going to be how good you are on that special occasion; on the big stage. That will come Saturday night.

"Timing is everything in winning Grand Finals and I suspect we've done everything we can to get our team right.

"I suspect we'll see our team getting close to their best on Saturday."

Leeds, whose only winter signing was Australian Test hooker Danny Buderus – currently sidelined with a broken leg – have defeated the minor premiers in each of the last two finals and are hoping to become the first side in Super League history to win three in succession.

But after three ferocious and terrificly close encounters already this term, McClennan insists it is irrelevant they have been tagged favourites for the first time.

"We've a good team who have done extremely well and now we have given ourselves the opportunity of doing something very special," said the Kiwi.

"But it will be down to the percentages. We have to make sure they hit our way.

"Standing here now, we've a 50-50 chance. When it comes to the game it's important we grab 51 per cent of them and give Saints only 49."

Both coaches reckon they will be near full strength for the weekend's showpiece although whether that materialises on the night remains to be seen.

McClennan refused to divulge the nature of the injury full-back Brent Webb picked up in Friday's victory over Catalans Dragons.

He was a notable absentee from the New Zealand Four Nations squad named yesterday but McClennan maintains the player – who missed last season's Grand Final due to a back injury – is fine.

"As I take it, he's just been left out of that," said the Leeds chief.

"It (the injury) is not a major concern. He'll most definitely end up in the 17."

St Helens counterpart Mick Potter was similarly adamant about the prospects of his captain Keiron Cunningham appearing at Old Trafford despite visiting a specialist yesterday about a hairline fracture in his hand.

"Regardless of the outcome, he'll play," said Potter, about the former Great Britain hooker who needed a pain-killing injection to get through Saturday night's victory over Wigan Warriors.

"He'll be offered medical advice. Whether he takes it up... it's Keiron. I don't think you can tell Keiron Cunningham. He's a pretty determined character."

Leeds will also have giant Samoan second row Ali Lauitiiti back after a virus.

"He was bouncing around at training today. He hadn't been eating, so he actually looked quite good," joked the Leeds coach.

Potter expects Matt Gidley (groin) and Tony Puleta (shoulder) to also shake off niggles.

Saints full-back Paul Wellens conceded the agony of losing out to Leeds for the last two finals has weighed heavy on his side.

"In those last couple, when you book your place there you worry about performing on the night," he admitted.

"In the last couple of years we've not managed to perform well enough to win.

"Obviously that sticks in the mind of a few of the players and it's something that we've had to think about nearly every day since we lost.

"But it's another game at the weekend and one we're going to have to take emotions out of."