By Andycap on 25/03/2004
March 25 2004

The Tykes go into this weekend’s game knowing that all they have to lose is their pride; Rotherham’s demise is final so Leeds can relax and play the kind of rugby we know they can play.

Newcastle however, will be fired up having lost their home tie to the tykes and coming off a semi-final win to boot. The loss of Saint Jonny has not deterred them and Dave Walder has proved himself a more than able deputy.

With Desperate Dan going off to Sarries at the end of the season (and by God he must be desperate!!) will PD take a chance by changing the team around? The Tykes have had fortnight to lick their wounds, watch the video and practice the moves that didn’t come off.

And the Tykes must surely now be slightly concerned about their front eight. With no Shelley through injury, and Messrs. Regan, Kerr, persico and Popham all out on international duty, there is going to be a shoring up exercise to keep the forwards in the hunt. That being said, the new guys coming in - likely to be Holt, Powell and Cusack in the front row, with Ponton a cert to start at 7 - will be keen to impress and ensure they can get some competition for those places going.

So with all that said, and with no TV to jangle the nerves I suspect the Tykes will pluck the Falcons’ tail feathers and win by 10 points.

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