Leeds aiming to do Holmes proud
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Your support makes all the difference.Leeds will summon up the memory of one of their all-time greats as they try to reach Old Trafford for the third year running.
John Holmes died last weekend at the age of 57 and the club will pay tribute to the man who holds their appearance record by replaying one of his finest hours, the 1978 Challenge Cup final, on the big screen at Headingley before they face the Catalan Dragons.
"It will be an emotional night for Leeds and we have spoken about John Holmes a couple of times in our meetings," said the Rhinos' coach, Brian McClennan.
"We are just the current guardians of the blue and amber jersey and hopefully we can produce a performance that does John's memory justice."
For the latest step in the defence of their Super League title, Leeds will be at full strength, like the Catalan side they chose to play.
Under the new Clubcall system, Leeds, as the league leaders, had their choice of semi-final opponents and opted for the Dragons rather than Wigan.
One of the risks of the concept is that the selected side could find extra motivation, although the Catalans' coach, Kevin Walters, says that being one game away from a Grand Final is motivation enough in itself.
They too are unchanged, with the three Australians included in the French squad this week - Clint Greenshields, Adam Mogg and Casey Maguire - set to show why any international team would be delighted to have them.
The Dragons also have what is probably the biggest pack in the competition and it is their form that dragged their side into the play-offs after a lack-lustre season.
The Leeds utility back, Ashley Gibson, has joined Salford on a one-year deal. The former Salford stand-off, Tim Hartley, is moving to Leigh, whilst Stanley Gene, released by Hull KR, has signed for Halifax,
England have drafted the Warrington players, Ben Harrison and Chris Bridge, into their Four Nations squad after reaching agreement with Ireland over their eligibility.
The English-born pair have previously won Irish caps, but are allowed to revert to England between World Cups.
New Zealand have dropped the Sydney Roosters centre, Setaimata Sa, from their Four Nations squad after a series of alcohol-fuelled incidents, including accusations of an assault on a policewoman. Sa was a member of last year's World Cup-winning squad.
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