Sinfield predicts tough defence for Leeds

The Rhinos launch the defence of their title with a round four fixture against Hull KR at Headingley tomorrow, the match having been brought forward from February 29 to accommodate the World Club Challenge with Melbourne Storm.

The bookmakers make Leeds marginal favourites to become only the second team to win back-to-back Super League championships but Sinfield is warning his team of a tough road ahead.

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While the majority of their rivals having recruited heavily in the close season, both Leeds and Grand Final runners-up St Helens will be relying on last year's squads to push for honours and Sinfield admits defending the title will be harder than winning it.

"We had a chance to defend it in 2005 and just fell short in the Grand Final so hopefully we can learn from what happened back then," he said.

"I think we do need to improve. Every other team is going to improve and every other team has recruited really well apart from Saints. The competition is getting better and better every year and for us to win it again this time we'll have to improve probably 30 to 40 per cent on what we did last year."

With prop Ryan Bailey recovering from a groin strain that forced him to miss the club's training camp in Florida, new coach Brian McClennan has the chance to field the side that thrashed Saints 33-6 in October's Grand Final.

Front rower Nick Scruton is added to the 17 on duty at Old Trafford and, unless Bailey suffers a late reaction, he will be vying with Carl Ablett and Ian Kirke for a place on the bench.

Hull KR, who have not won at Leeds since 1985, have a host of new faces on debut, including former Leeds favourite Chev Walker, whose last rugby league match was at Headingley 16 months ago when the Rhinos lost in the first round of the play-offs.

Walker has returned from a brief spell in rugby union with Bath and has been earmarked by Sinfield as one of the Robins' danger men.

"They beat us last year and we had another couple of tough games against them," he said. "They've signed really well and they will improve out of sight. Obviously Chev is in there. He is a fantastic signing, a top player and on his day as good as anything knocking around.

"He will certainly be a thorn in our side on Saturday. We are good friends and I wish him all the best, but not on Saturday.

"It's a great game for us to start up with. They will be a real tough side to play against. But the guys are ready and we know how important it is to get a good start."

With nine new faces, Hull KR coach Justin Morgan knows his team must gel quickly if they are to become party poopers in front of an anticipated 20,000 crowd.

"The last two years I've had 10 and 12 new signings every year," he said. "We're used to having new faces. It naturally does take time for players to settle into new systems but I think we've done everything we can in terms of preparation to ensure they have a good understanding of each other."

Having achieved their initial objective of surviving in their first season of Super League, Rovers are being viewed as potential play-off candidates but Morgan is steadfastly refusing to set public targets.

"The expectations of the fans are to be in the top six but there are so many factors that come into play," he said. "Ask any team or any coach and they'd all say they'd want to be in the top six.

"We just want to make sure we progress. We're only in our second year of Super League. We've purchased some good players and the club is progressing.

"We want to make sure we do ourselves justice and finish higher up the ladder than we did last year."