Brian McDermott is glad Leeds Rhinos chilled out

The double postponement of Leeds’ Super League derby at Wakefield at the weekend could prove to be a blessing for the champions, according to their coach, Brian McDermott.

The Rhinos manager has revealed that his centre Carl Ablett and second-row forward Brett Delaney were both injury doubts for the game against the Wildcats, which was put back from Friday to Sunday before being called off again because of snow.

They are now both set to feature for the champions in Thursday’s match against Bradford at Headingley, which has undersoil heating.

“We were disappointed the game wasn’t on but it was a bit of a blessing in disguise because we had a few niggles that we needed to get over,” McDermott said.

McDermott’s team should now be fresh as they prepare for three games in 11 days over Easter – they face Catalan Dragons in Perpignan on Easter Monday, but will have a hectic spell later in the campaign.

Leeds now have two games in hand on their title rivals following the postponement of the Widnes home game, which was rearranged for 17 June, because of their involvement in the World Club Challenge.