McClennan turns to youth

McClennan: Excited

We've also got young Kallum Watkins, who's 17, and we have a high opinion of this boy. He's coming along really well.

Brian McClennan
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Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan believes youth holds the key to his side's hopes of retaining the Super League title this season.

The reigning champions kick-off their title defence against Celtic Crusaders on Friday, live on Sky Sports 2, without five first-team regulars in their starting XIII.

Ryan Bailey, Rob Burrow, Danny Buderus and Brent Webb have all suffered injury setbacks, while Greg Eastwood is still in Brisbane awaiting the arrival of his British passport.

In their absence, McClennan has included youngsters Danny Allan, Kallum Watkins, Paul McShane and Dane Manning in his 19-man squad, with two of them guaranteed to feature against the Super League newcomers.

Watkins, 17, is the youngest squad member but is tipped by McClennan to shine in 2009 and will help fill the centre vacancy caused by the departure of New Zealand international Clinton Toopi.

Potential

England star Lee Smith has been handed Toopi's number three jersey but will start the season at full-back as McClennan is forced to turn to either Watkins or Ashley Gibson for Friday's clash.

"Lee Smith will get first chance at it when Webby (Brent Webb) comes back," said McClennan.

"He's got great potential to be a good centre. We used him there last year and we were excited by what he could do.

"Beneath Lee we have Ashley Gibson, who is a specialist centre and highly-rated by the club. He's healthy now but it's going to take him a few games to come up to speed.

"We've also got young Kallum Watkins, who's 17, and we have a high opinion of this boy. He's coming along really well.

Important

"If people think that there may be a weakness in that area, they are going to be proven wrong. We're very strong in our centres."

McClennan also heaped praise on Australian flier Scott Donald as he prepares to launch his first attack on the Crusaders defence from right wing on Friday night.

Donald finished second in the Super League scoring chart in 2008 behind St Helens winger Ade Gardner but McClennan is banking on the defensive prowess of the former Manly Sea Eagle to add a new dimension to the champions.

"Stopping tries is as important as scoring them and Scott Donald is a very good defensive reader of the game," said McClennan.

"We hope he can get as many tries as he did last year but I can tell you this: he will help us stop more tries down that edge with his experience, even with a younger but promising centre inside him."