Thursday 18 December 2014 22:41, UK
Danny McGuire says he is looking forward to playing alongside Liam Sutcliffe as well as leading Leeds Rhinos in the traditional Boxing Day fixture as preparations for the new Super League season gear up.
McGuire, the competition's leading try scorer, claimed the emergence of a new wave of young stars, which included half-back partner Sutcliffe, at the club had forced the established players to raise their game in pre-season.
We have been in seven weeks and everyone is itching for a game and keen to get back into the mix
The Rhinos welcome Wakefield to Headingley on December 26 and stand-off McGuire said: "Everyone is looking forward to the Boxing Day game, training has cranked up a gear in December and it is always a busy month for everyone at the club.
"Everything has been coming thick and fast but we know we are just over a month from the start of the season now and that gives everyone a lift.
"Pre-season has been very tough but enjoyable at the same time. We have been in seven weeks and everyone is itching for a game and keen to get back into the mix.
"I missed out on the Boxing Day game last year because I got a one match ban in the last game of the season but I am looking forward to it.
"Liam Sutcliffe has been going really well in training and it will be good to play in the halves alongside him."
