Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos – Keen ‘student’ Luke Gale determined for Rhinos to prove their quality

If they can beat Catalans Dragons in tonight’s sudden-death eliminator at Warrington the Challenge Cup victors will stand just 80 minutes from a Grand Final and an opportunity to complete a double.

Leeds had a win percentage of 58.82 but had played 17 regular rounds when the top-four was extended to the top-six last week.

Catalans, who they were chasing in fourth, sat on 61.54 per cent but had only managed 13 fixtures due to various Covid-related reasons.

Whichever way you look at it, it should be a finely balanced game tonight and deliver the sort of absorbing action the competition craved by ending the regular campaign early.

“I don’t think fifth is a true reflection for us, if I’m honest,” England scrum-half Gale told The Yorkshire Post.

“We’ve had to give three games away because of the Challenge Cup. Up until last week we didn’t know if we’d be in the four.

“Catalans hadn’t played 15 games (the minimum needed to qualify for the top-four). It would have been hard to kick Catalans out but, then again, it would have been harsh if we were sat in fifth playing 17 games and not able to get in the top-four because Catalans hadn’t played.

“I think Super League and the RFL have done the best they can and we’re in a top-six play-off format now which is massively exciting.

“You have to turn up and bring your best otherwise you’re out.

“We’ve been here before in terms of knockout football – we’ve got a Challenge Cup final win under our belt – and we’re looking to advance.

“Catalans are a good side. They have some real superstars in their team.

“We’ll have to play our best football but we know if we do that we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

Catalans won 34-6 when the sides met in September but that was one of the three games Gale referred to, a midweek contest when coach Richard Agar fielded a youthful side as the Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors loomed that weekend.

In contrast, both sides are at almost full-strength this evening.

So we will see Gale versus State of Origin star James Maloney, world-class centres Konrad Hurrell and Israel Folau in direct opposition and, at full-back, Lance Todd Trophy winner Richie Myler in battle with England ace Sam Tomkins.

Typically in this Covid-blighted season, things have not gone without a hitch; Agar will have to watch from home due to track and trace reasons.

Still, that did mean Sean Long, the legendary former St Helens and Great Britain No7 who will be Leeds assistant next term, has come in early to start work.

He has taken training with James Webster and, for Gale, it has been a real treat.

“We’re used to this sort of thing in 2020; every week is different and his week we have no head coach!” he joked.

“But Webbo and Longy have been brilliant. As a kid, Longy was the stand-out scrum-half and he’s the sort of half I always wanted to model my game on.

“I never had the electric pace of Danny (McGuire) and Rob (Burrow) so I was more of a kicker/general anyway; Longy was the best in England at that and I think he was the best seven of the Super League era. “I’ve been trying to get little nuggets out of him already.

“You’re never too old to learn and it’s going to be an exciting partnership with Rich and Longy. He’ll help our halves massively but the full-backs and outside backs as well. I can’t wait for that. But first it’s Catalans.”

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