When the teams were posted for tonight's match-up between the Rhinos and the Warriors, much of the chatter was about who was missing rather than who was playing. The home side were looking to get back to winning ways, after losing their unbeaten 2015 record last week at the Halliwell-Jones, but would have to do it without Tom Briscoe and the skipper Kevin Sinfield.

Wigan, still looking for some consistent Superleague XX form, would be without Josh Charnley, ruled out for up to six weeks due to injury.

The two points would get the Rhinos back to second spot but the Warriors were the more needy for the points as a loss would mean that they are in danger of slipping to eighth, should other results go against them over the weekend.

The visitors, all through Matty Smith, got off to the best possible start and were eight points ahead after quarter of an hour. On ten Bowen and Gelling combined to put Smith over for a try which he easily converted. On fifteen he added two more with a penalty from twenty metres but the Rhinos had already had their chances.

Within two minutes of Smiths penalty the Rhinos were on the score board when an Aiton grabber was grounded by Cuthbertson, maintaining his stunning home scoring record. Sutcliffe added the two, and within three minutes the Rhinos hit the front.

A patient lead up saw Ash Handley cross in the corner off a Watkins pass but Sutcliffe failed with the conversion. The Rhinos were 10-8 ahead and wouldn't look back.

Just before the half-hour Brad Singleton, freshly on as substitute, crossed off a Cuthbertson pass with Sutcliffes conversion opening an eight point lead. Wigan narrowed the margin five minutes before the break when a brilliant cross-field kick from Williams was collected on the full by Joe Burgess to score. Smith kicked the extras for a 16-14 first forty.

The Rhinos eased to the win with two second half tries and a total shut-out of the Warriors.

On the hour Leeds forced the Wigan error deep in their half and rather than take a simple two they played the ball and Sutcliffe went over off a Burrow pass to score.

On sixty-five Liam Farrell held back a Leeds player and saw yellow from referee Silverwood, although an early whistle denied the Rhinos a try, costing Wigan just a two point penalty for 22-14.

Ten minutes from the hooter and Rob Burrow went under the Wigan defenders from acting dummy-half to stretch over and seal the points. Sutcliffe hit the upright but at 26-14 the Rhinos had a comfortable win, and Shaun Wane had another agonising sleepless night on the cards.

After last weeks apparent blip, the Rhinos were straight back on the bike in good style. Wigan, however, will be nervously watching Sunday's results.

Rhinos: Hardaker, Handley, Watkins, Moon, Hall, Sutcliffe, McGuire, Cuthbertson, Aiton, Peacock, Ward, Ablett, Jones-Buchanan. Subs: Burrow, Yates, Delaney, Singleton.

Warriors: Bowen, Manfredi, Gelling, Sargison, Burgess, Williams, Smith, Clubb, McIlorum, Tomkins J, Farrell L. Subs: Tautai, Patrick, Tomkins L, Farrell C.

Referee: Richard Silverwood
Attendance: 18,350