Richard Agar bizarrely compares his side to ‘meerkats’ as he welcomes back quartet for Wigan clash

Richard Agar is always a character on pre-match press conferences with his jovial wit and willingness to answer any question always going down a treat.

However, journalists were treated to a saying that they would perhaps never expect ahead of Leeds Rhinos’ crunch play-off clash with Wigan Warriors tomorrow night.

It was more like an episode of Countryfile as Agar likened his returning players to ‘meerkats’.

Agar said: “It’s the first time all year we’ve been able to train 13 on 13 – they are all like meerkats this week sticking their head up to be selected!”

“It’s a great boost at this time of the year, but then we’ve got to think about who we will pick, but it will be to add size, strength and experience to what we’ve already got.

“We will expect a tough, tight game because when you defend as well as they defend it’s a good strong position to be in.

“Their tryline defence is superb. you wouldn’t expect anything other than a tight contest.”

Among those players returning are Matt Prior, Zane Tetevano and Mikolaj Oledzki.

“We will decide which way to go, we’ve got King Vuniyayawa back in the mix as well but we’ve got to decide our best middles to start the game.

“Prior, Oledzki and Tetevano are big players for us, it’s just unfortunate for us that we haven’t been able to get those three guys on the field at the same time.

“They aren’t as battle-hardened as we would have liked but it’s a big boost coming in for a game like this.