Dream Team forward James McDonnell reckons Leeds Rhinos have what it takes to go all the way to Old Trafford.
Rhinos face St Helens this Saturday in their first home play-off since 2017. The fourth versus fifth elimination tie is the sides’ fifth meeting this year and Saints have held the upper hand so far.
They have also won their last seven games against Leeds at Headingley, but second-rower McDonnell insisted: “It would be a good time to put that right.”
He said: “They have had our number a bit this year, but we’ve got some returning troops who are going to give us a bit of a boost and we know all about them now, having played them more than anyone else this year.”
Saturday’s winners will be away to either Hull KR or Wigan Warriors in a semi-final next weekend. That’s another formidable challenge, but McDonnell stressed: “We’ve proven we can beat any team in the top-six – we’ve done that this year.
“We’ve gone back-to-back on multiple occasions and won five in a row twice. Little things we’ve managed to achieve throughout the year gives us confidence and proves to ourselves we are capable of doing this. Really, it is in our hands to go and do it.”
Leeds Rhinos man on his rise
A Grand Final appearance would cap a memorable third year at Leeds for McDonnell who is in the England Ashes training squad and was named in the 2025 Super League Dream Team.
The 25-year-old has come a long way since playing for Leigh in the Championship, on loan from hometown club Wigan Warriors, in 2022.
Revealing the mentality behind his rapid rise, he said: “Whatever opportunity I get, it’s just to take it with both hands and make the best of it.
“I went to Leigh on loan in the Championship as a bench prop, but those were the circumstances at the time and I just wanted to take the game time wherever I could get it.
“That was a big selling point for me at Leeds, to come to a fresh team, have a fresh start and really try to put my own stamp on that position and make my way into the team.
“I have had some different opportunities in my career, but I have got a great one in front of me now.”
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McDonnell is ever-present for Leeds Rhinos this season, but feels he has got more to offer. He added: “Consistency is what I am after and over the last couple of years, being with Leeds, I feel like I have really built that.
“I’m at a point now where I’ve got that consistency and I can really focus on going to the next level from here.
“The consistency has been good and that’s something I want to keep up in my game because I want to be on the pitch as often as I can.
“It’s only over the last three years I’ve really had consistent game time. I debuted for Wigan in 2020, but only really started my Super League career in 2023.
“I only made six appearances over the three years at Wigan and spent time on loan at Leigh and York so I am really hoping to kick on now and start achieving things and leave a bit of my own legacy.”
