Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos

Friday 29th April 2011

Venue: The PROBIZ Coliseum

KO: 17:15pm

Referee: Richard Silverwood

Sky Sports 1 (from 5pm)

Teams;

Castleford (17 from): Mathers, Dixon, Arundel, Owen, Chase, Orr, Jackson, Clark, Emmitt, Snitch, Ferres, Jones, Milner, Aspinwall, Massey, Thompson, McGoldrick, Holmes, Widders.

Leeds (17 from): Webb, Smith, Delaney, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Cross, Bailey, Kirke, Burgess, Clarkson, McShane

For me, a person who has no interest in the Royal Wedding other than seeing what Kate's dress looks like, this is the only thing I am looking forward to on Friday. Dubbed as "Battle Royal" due to the fact it shares the date with the Royal Wedding, I would love to know what they would have called it if the wedding wasn't on the same day, it's set to be a great match between the local rivals.  

Leeds won both their matches over the Easter period against Bradford and Crusaders and have seemed to develop some form, after some dismal displays in the past. They were buoyed for the Easter Monday match against Crusaders by the return of stand off Danny McGuire, one of their most influential players. Confidence will be high due to their recent run of form, the successful return of McGuire last Monday and the fact that another influential player, Jamie Peacock is set to return in this game. All these factors will give the Rhinos much confidence which could be major factor when deciding the outcome of this game.

Castleford's Easter has been much the opposite after last gasp defeats to both Wakefield and St Helens. They've been going well so far this season but have hit a blip, like all good teams do. Unfortunately for them, not only have they lost two games on the trot but Craig Huby, who has been in the form of his life, broke a kneecap in their Easter Monday game and will be out for 4 months - it's a cruel world. They're also without Nick Fozzard. 

I'm going to go for the Leeds win in this match,  but I think it will be close. Castleford will be wanting to come out and get back to winning ways but due to the returns of Danny McGuire and Jamie Peacock I find it hard to go against Leeds.  

Good luck to both sides and enjoy the "Battle Royal", oh and the Royal Wedding too, if you're watching it! 

Hannah.