Can Leeds do it again?

LEEDS RHINOS

Coach: Brian McClennan (since November 2007).

Captain: Kevin Sinfield.

Previous finishes (most recent last): 10th, 5th, 2nd (runners-up), 3rd, 4th, 5th, 4th, 2nd (lost in final eliminator), 1st (champions), 2nd (runners-up), 3rd, 2nd (champions), 2nd (champions), 1st (champions).

2009 leading scorers (including play-offs): tries - Ryan Hall 31; goals - Kevin Sinfield 117; points - Kevin Sinfield 253.

Biggest Super League win: 86-6 (v Huddersfield, 1999).

Biggest Super League defeat: 68-14 (v Wigan, 1996).

Ground and capacity: Headingley, 22,000.

2009 average attendance: 15,312 (down 1,444).

Record Super League attendance: 23,035 (v Bradford 2003).

In: Greg Eastwood (Canterbury), Brett Delaney (Gold Coast), Mike Coady (Doncaster), Kyle Amor (Whitehaven).

Out: Lee Smith (Wasps RU), Mike Ratu (Hull KR), Ashley Gibson, Jodie Broughton (both Salford), Danny Allan (Featherstone), Ben Jones-Bishop (Harlequins, on loan), Simon Worrall (Toulouse, on loan).

Player to watch: Greg Eastwood - better late than never for the World Cup winner, the champions' replacement for Gareth Ellis who will be out to make up for lost time.

Rising star: Kallum Watkins - a naturally-gifted centre who has produced a series of promising cameo performances over the last two seasons and now looks set to make the big breakthrough.

Odds to finish top: 11-10.

Prospects: The champions are showing no sign of slowing up and, in fact, with a marginally stronger squad, could pull further away from the rivals in 2010.

Prediction: 1st.

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