It's a crying shame we're not on TV says Wolves coach Smith

Free-scoring Wolves have plundered more than 60 points in each of their last two outings against Huddersfield and Salford and put over 40 past both Catalans and Featherstone before them.

But Smith knows all about Leeds's potential after guiding them to three Grand Finals and he believes it could be a fascinating contest.

Wakefield's visit from Bradford is the televised fixture and the ex-England chief admitted: "It's a crying shame our game isn't on.

"That's no disrespect to the other sides but there's been some cracking matches between Leeds and Warrington recently.

"Both sides are capable of playing very attractive rugby when they are at their best and hopefully this will be a real spectacle."

Wolves could go top – at least for 48 hours – if they can win at Headingley Carnegie and open up a nine-point advantage over the champions. Smith believes it is his side's defensive prowess though which is allowing them to cut a swathe through opponents.

"Warrington have always been capable of scoring points but we've improved our defence dramatically," he added, Wolves having conceded an average of just 14 points per game this season.

"They are linked so much, the two facets, and the better you defend the easier it is to attack."

Leeds enter the halfway stage of the season struggling in seventh spot having won only half their fixtures.

There have been signs of a recovery with just one loss in their last seven games but they have lacked their usual conviction and coach Brian McClennan accepts there is no more room for failure.

"It's the halfway point and May is a critical month," he said.

"It's really important for us to come through this and get some positive results and show our performances can go up a notch.

"We've been patchy and it gives us an opportunity to test ourselves against a top team. We went to St Helens recently and we didn't rise to the occasion."

Leeds lost out 41-20 at Knowsley Road but edged past Wakefield at Murrayfield and backed that up with a 70-22 Challenge Cup thrashing of Blackpool to head into this fixture with confidence improved.

McClennan acknowledges the visitors are genuine contenders for their title.

"Warrington are going really well," he said. "They're in good form and it's good for Super League. The potential has always been there and they're reaching it at the moment.

"It provides us with a really big challenge and it's one I think we need. It's come at a time for us when we have to draw a bit of a line in the sand.

"It is an exciting month for us and we find ourselves on Friday with a wonderful chance to see where we are in 2010 as a squad."