McClennan hoping for retraction over Clarke's 'tasteless' attack on McGuire

McClennan reacted furiously following Clarke's online comments which suggested the England star deserved to suffer a season-ending injury.

McGuire's knee imploded as he appeared to obstruct opponent George Carmont in the crucial final seconds of Leeds's 27-26 play-off win at Wigan.

Clarke, a Sky Sports commentator, suggested it was maybe a lesson to everyone that it does not pay to cheat and "perhaps the rugby gods have punished him for his unsportsmanlike play".

McGuire faces eight months out of action following reconstructive surgery.

Clarke's comments have stunned Leeds in the build-up to Saturday's re-match at Headingley when the victors will progress to the Super League Grand Final.

"I'm not happy about it," McClennan told the Yorkshire Post. "It's disappointing and it's tasteless.

"Danny McGuire is a terrific player and person – he's not a cheat and plays with a smile on his face.

"The worst thing is that Danny has not been able to do anything about it. He came out on Friday after a major operation on that knee and his family and himself have got to read that.

"They aren't pleased either and it's not impressive."

The comments have sparked outrage among Leeds fans and it is understood Clarke will not be taking up his usual pitchside commentating position at the weekend because of apprehension over a potential backlash and will instead be seated in the television studio.

McClennan is amazed Clarke has not as yet retracted his statement and added: "I was surprised where he was going with it all in the first place.

"We all know he loves Wigan but you've got to be impartial when you're in these positions in the media.

"He's certainly picked the wrong person. I doubt you could find any player in Super League that says Danny McGuire is a cheat or a dirty player. He's a great kid."

Leeds prop Jamie Peacock, recovering from an identical injury to McGuire's, revealed in yesterday's Yorkshire Post the side were already fuming at the response of "cowardly" Wigan players when the 27-year-old was laying prone on the ground.

Warrriors scrum-half Thomas Leuluai has tried to apologise for his behaviour in accusing McGuire of cheating and preventing Rhinos physio Meirion Jones from treating the stricken player.

However, there has been no such offering yet from team-mate Mark Riddell who McClennan identified as another culprit.

There is expected to be a ferocious welcome for the Australian hooker at the weekend but the Leeds chief – who tried unsuccessfully to get the RFL to take action – insists they will not be using the drama as added fuel for their own fire.

"We don't get motivated by trying to prove other people wrong or through hatred," he said. "We don't believe in that. We believe in being motivated by desire and doing good things for one another."

League leaders Wigan, who have not lifted the title since 1998, are still hurting from being dumped out of the Challenge Cup at Headingley in May while defending champions Leeds are intent on reaching a fourth successive Grand Final.

However, in a thinly-veiled reference to their opponents' style, McClennan continued: "Our players play within the rules. We never go out to intentionally use any tactics that can hurt another player and we'll continue to do that.

"We're proud of our history. We've won three Grand Finals in a row and another in 2004, all with integrity."