Entering Dragons’ den is perfect Wembley build-up for Sinfield

Ahead of that date with Warrington Wolves, the last thing the Super League champions needed was an arduous journey to the south of France to face one of the toughest sides in the competition.

Being hit with the seismic blow that their most influential player this term – Danny McGuire – is ruled out possibly for the rest of the season, is just another problem to factor in.

However, captain Kevin Sinfield counters otherwise.

“Probably a few weeks back, looking at this Catalan game, it wasn’t a great fixture to have just a week before Wembley,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“But, having got here, and looking down the barrel of Catalan away, I think it is now probably ideal.

“It’s a great time for us to come over. We get a couple of days together as a group and we’re seeing it as a mini-camp.

“Having lost Danny, it might give someone a chance to have a run in his position, too, which will be important.

“But also there is going to be a lot of similarities in the actual week to what we will face next week.

“We left on Thursday, did some training over here today in warm conditions – I suspect Wembley will be warm next Saturday as it always seems to be like that there – and now we’re coming up against a very physical side.”

Indeed, the itinerary is comparable to what Leeds will encounter when they venture to London while Catalan’s robust forwards will certainly prepare them for Warrington’s tenacious pack.

That aside, there is the small matter of Super League positions to consider as the jostling begins in earnest for the crucial play-off places.

Leeds, struggling in ninth as recently as June, eased up into fourth spot last week as their emphatic win over Widnes coincided with Catalan’s loss at Hull FC.

However, the West Yorkshire club only hold that place ahead of the Frenchmen by virtue of a superior points difference.

Likewise, both only trail St Helens in third by an inferior such total.

With just two more rounds to go after this weekend, it is imperative Leeds ram home their advantage.

Sinfield continued: “We’ll get the best out of it that we can and, hopefully, perform to the level we require to get those two points.

“It’s a great challenge and we all remember vividly what happened here last year – we’ve not forgotten that.

“The top four is up there for the taking and if we get the win and play well, it will be a perfect week.”

The England stand-off refers to last July’s 38-18 loss in Perpignan, a season nadir that had them in all sorts of chaos.

It was a fifth defeat in seven games but Leeds memorably recovered to go on and win the Grand Final from fifth place.

Today, they are far better placed, having lost just twice in their previous nine games.

They are not without their problems, of course. Dynamic hooker Rob Burrow, an obvious replacement for scrum-half McGuire, has stayed at home to nurse a calf injury which coach Brian McDermott says could yet jeopardise his own Wembley hopes.

Losing two such long-established play-makers heaps more pressure on Sinfield today and, while Shaun Lunt continues in place of Burrow, all eyes will be on who McDermott selects in the pivotal No 7 role.

Teenager Stevie Ward, fresh from receiving his A-Level results, could be handed the slot.

Though largely operating in the back-row during this his breakthrough season, and sporadically at centre, he is a half-back by trade and has slotted in there before.

Ward, 18, did so when McGuire departed injured against Widnes and duly scored his first senior try.

Alternatively, the more experienced full-back Brent Webb – available again after a two-game ban – could act as a makeshift half.

“Danny’s been a huge part of what we’ve done this year and, of course, he’s a massive loss,” admitted Sinfield.

“We’re all gutted for him missing the final but it gives someone else a chance.

“We haven’t got anyone in our side who can fill Danny’s shoes – it’ll be someone who does things slightly different.

“If it’s Stevie then ultimately it’s not about putting pressure on him. There’s probably no other 18-year-old in the comp’ who could come in and do what he’s done for us this season. He’s making great strides.

“But it’s about all 17 going out there and playing well enough to win, against Catalan and Warrington.

“The beauty of it is we get a chance to spend some time together here.

“Obviously, we pretty much see each other every day training but here we can have some social time together, too.

“I’m not saying going out or anything daft but it’ll be good just to be able to sit and chat and maybe go over some stuff in each other’s company.

“We’ll be ready for this game and Wembley.”

Leeds are bolstered by the return of ex-England captain Jamie Peacock and Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

Catalan are in need of a positive performance after disappointing in successive weekends on the road at both Huddersfield and Hull.

Trent Robinson’s side have now lost three of their last four games to allow Leeds – who beat them 34-18 at Headingley in April – a chance to overhaul them.

They are still without their talismanic Steve Menzies but have France international Thomas Bosc returning to the side along with Mathias Pala.

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