Squeaky bum time for Smith (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Squeaky bum time for Smith

2:02pm Wednesday 1st October 2008

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Do you reckon Tony Smith will dare watch the last remaining Super League game of the season?

While we’re all eagerly anticipating an exciting conclusion to the competition, he is the only man who must be wishing it is all over already.

As England boss, the majority of his World Cup squad will be going toe-to-toe when St Helens face Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday.

They will be hard at it, hammer and tong, and Smith says it is just what they need to keep up the intensity before heading Down Under on international duty.

But privately, how he must pray the season was done and dusted and all his stars had their feet up resting for the challenges ahead.

Of his likely starting line-up, the Bulls’ own Sam Burgess is already ruled out with injury, as is Hull FC winger Gareth Raynor, while potential squad members Andy Lynch, Paul Deacon, Sean O’Loughlin, Terry Newton and Jon Clarke have all pulled out.

Smith has to name his final 24-man squad just three days after Old Trafford. Let’s hope all his big guns are still able to fire.