Leeds Rhinos v Wigan: Shaun Wane all too aware of pressure from the stands

The Super League champions arrive at Headingley tonight to face a Leeds side who have won their last three games.

However, this current sequence was preceded by a record defeat at Castleford Tigers that prompted Rhinos’ chief executive Hetherington to state the next four games would be crucial in helping make decisions on the future of football staff.

The implications were clear but, ahead of that fourth fixture, Brian McDermott’s side – 2015 treble winners before slumping into the Qualifiers last term – are now joint-top of the table.

“I didn’t see what he (Hetherington) wrote, but it wouldn’t make Brian work harder; he’ll just get on with his job,” said Wane, the former Great Britain prop who played for Leeds between 1990 and 1993.

“Leeds are a very well-run club, with a really good roster, they’re in good form, and it’ll be nothing to do with what Gary said.

“They have too many quality individuals and you’re seeing their quality; they’re playing as they should be playing.”

On McDermott getting abuse from fans before turning things around, Wane added: “It’s part of the job. It’s pressure; it’s the way it is. We were unbeaten, I had a team of kids and I had speccies screaming at me at half-time last Friday.”

Then, Wigan went on to lose 22-20 against Hull FC, their first defeat since as long ago as last September, but also drew versus Huddersfield Giants the previous week so are now seeking a first win in three outings.

Furthermore, they have not won at Headingley since 2012.