Leeds aim to keep play-off hopes alive

Leeds can revive their outside chance of making the Zurich Premiership play-offs by defeating Headingley visitors Harlequins tomorrow night.

But Tykes boss Phil Davies is taking nothing for granted, despite a nine-point gap currently separating fifth-placed Leeds and Quins, in seventh.

“We have already played Quins twice this season, and both games were extremely close, with the result in the balance until the closing seconds,” he said.

Leeds won the previous league encounter, but were then knocked out of Powergen Cup contention when Quins’ England centre Will Greenwood scored a late try.

Greenwood and his England colleagues Dan Luger and Jason Leonard are all set to return from Grand Slam duty for Quins, and Davies added: “They will no doubt be on a massive high after last weekend in Dublin, and I am sure they cannot wait for the next game.

“We are looking forward to getting back to playing this week after the long break.

“Of our last five league games, only two are at home, so we need to make the most of Friday night, hopefully with another big crowd inside Headingley and a good performance from the team.”

A Leeds victory would take them above Leicester into fourth spot, but that could be short-lived, as Tigers have home advantage against Sale Sharks on Sunday.

Davies will decide on his starting line-up tomorrow, but can call upon lock Phil Murphy and wing Craig Emmerson, who have both returned from respective loan spells with Orrell and Halifax.

Flanker Dan Hyde is fit again after suffering a leg injury, while lock Tom Palmer is set to make his 99th Leeds appearance.

Quins, who ended a two-year wait for a Premiership win on the road by beating London Irish last time out, could hand starting roles to Leonard and back-row man Tony Diprose.