Game in a million as Leeds eye survival

The Yorkshiremen can secure their Guinness Premiership status and cement the crucial cash boost by avoiding defeat against their relegation rivals at Headingley Carnegie on Sunday.

Leeds climbed to ninth, their highest position of the season, with a 23-13 triumph at London Irish and their destiny is in their own hands heading into the penultimate game of the campaign.

Knowing they will also gain equal funding to their top-flight opponents in 2010-2011 for the first time is also a carrot which is tantalisingly close.

Leeds – who would lose 55 per cent of their central funding if they were relegated – currently only receive around half of the estimated 2m their rivals each receive per season.

However, they will achieve parity if they stay up, meaning a substantial boost to their budget.

Following their promotion, Hetherington negotiated the deal with the governing body, Premier Rugby, and the prospect of competing on a level playing field is something Leeds – relegated twice in the last three campaigns – are relishing .

"It's been like a huge ball and chain around our feet," he said. "We have less money than anyone else which makes life more difficult and that will change if we do stay up.

"It was a marvellous result and performance against Irish. This coming Sunday was already going to be a huge occasion but it's even better now we have some points cushion.

"However, the significance is still the same – if we win or draw we ensure and guarantee we're in the Premiership next year.

"This Worcester game has huge significance financially and it is enormous in us being able to go forward."

Normally, it takes a club eight consecutive years in the Premiership to achieve full shareholder status and each time a club is relegated they lose a percentage of shares.

That has meant Leeds – who first won promotion in 2001 – have suffered badly and struggled to compete consistently in the recruitment of top players.

They famously won the Powergen Cup with victory over Bath at Twickenham in 2005 but Hetherington says the visit of bottom club Worcester, who are seven points adrift, will be even bigger given the long-term benefits.

"We played in that cup final and won it, which was great, but it was only good while it lasted," he said. "This Worcester game has been flagged up for a long time like it was almost written in the stars.

"A lot of people have been looking forward to it and we all know how much it means to the long-term future of Leeds Carnegie.

"The relegation battle has greatly intensified over the last few weeks and it should be a fascinating contest."

With Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons also still in danger, Hetherington is urging supporters of the game in the county to turn up in numbers to give their backing and ensure Yorkshire has a Premiership representative for years to come.

"There has been a distinct lack of consistent support for the Carnegie team for years but we do know there's a rugby union fraternity throughout the county," he added.

"The interest and support has been there on occasions with 14,000 our best crowd and five-figure attendances on other occasions

"We'd like that again this weekend but recognise we've failed to deliver a consistently-winning Premiership team.

"We've always believed we can, though, and there's enough interest and support out there. The test comes this Sunday. There's no bigger test for the team and the game throughout the county."

Leeds, with coaching duo Andy Key and Neil Back at the helm, have won five of their 10 Premiership contests since the turn of the year to dig themselves out of trouble, Jon Goodrige diving over for the clinching try as they secured the latest triumph at an Irish side chasing the play-offs.

"It's no more than the team and coaching staff deserve for their efforts over several months here," added Hetherington.

"We were everyone's favourites to come bottom. It was always going to be tough but performances and results have been a credit to all of them.

"The good thing about the game on Sunday, though, was that the first thing everyone said at the final whistle was it's a marvellous result but the job's not done."

UPS AND DOWNS

If Leeds win or draw they are safe.

If they lose, their fate will still be in their own hands and will be decided when they play Bath at The Rec on the season's final afternoon – Saturday, May 8.

Sale entertain Newcastle on Friday evening with a win for either securing their top-flight status.

Sale head to Harlequins, Newcastle tackle Wasps and Worcester meet Gloucester in the other last-day fixtures.