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Leeds consider Cup options as injuries hit Bulls

Dave Hadfield
Thursday 10 April 2003 00:00 BST
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Leeds and Bradford will both delay their selections for this weekend's Powergen Challenge Cup semi-finals, though for different reasons. Leeds, who play St Helens on Saturday, have a fully fit squad, while Brian Noble has six players in doubt for the Bulls' game with Wigan the following day.

"It's left me with some very difficult decisions,'' the Leeds coach, Daryl Powell, said. "I'm still going over a few things in my mind and I probably won't decide till Saturday.''

Powell's main problem areas are in the centres, where Chev Walker and Chris McKenna are in competition for one place, and the front row, where the return of Ryan Bailey from injury has increased pressure for places.

Noble has the opposite problem, with Joe Vagana, Daniel Gartner, Lee Radford, Michael Withers, Mike Forshaw and Jamie Peacock all facing tests before he finalises his line-up.

Powell has kept his in-form prop Wayne McDonald out of the public eye this week, requesting that he should not be interviewed. McDonald scored a sensational 70-yard try at Saints last week. "I want him to play like that again," said Powell. McDonald's brother, Ryan, is back in training at Widnes after having a cast removed from his arm.

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