Thursday 2 April 2015 19:48, UK
The boys are back and ready to tear into each other once more as they go head-to-head with their Super League predictions.
On the pitch, Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor liked nothing better than tearing into the opposition.
They may have hung up their boots but that competitive streak still runs strong and we have found a way to channel their energies.
Each week they will give their predictions for the Super League games; they will score one point for a win and if they both pick the winner, then the pundit with the closest score gets an extra point.
Last year, McDermott pipped O'Connor to the title, and although Terry demanded a recount, he finally conceded that Barrie was the rightful winner.
Let battle commence!
Current standings
BARRIE - 31
TERRY - 37
Hull FC v Hull KR: 7.30pm, Thurs, Sky Sports 2 HD
Barrie says: If you like your rugby league, and you like it rough, tough and atmospheric, then you're in for a true delight! If you talk to anyone from east Yorkshire, they will tell you that this is one of the true derbies because it’s one city, two clubs.
I've been listening to what the Hull KR players have been saying this week, and they're conscious and very aware of the noise and the cauldron that the KC Stadium can be when it's at full capacity. Hull KR are a quality side and proved most of us wrong by beating Saints last week so they will be carrying the momentum from that win into this game.
Defensively, they're getting better as the season progresses and they're brilliant at taking the opportunities in attack when they turn the ball over. I'm expecting this game to be low scoring and I'm expecting it to be a real game of chess - methodical rather than frenetic.
Derby games are always tight contests, which is either because of good defence or good attack from both teams, and I'm calling this to be a defensive affair.
Prediction: Hull KR are in good form, and the confidence of beating Saints will give them a victory by six points.
Terry says: This derby always entertains and both sets of fans will help to motivate the players from the moment they walk out to warm up.
Hull played Chris Chester’s men three times last year and lost both games played away from their home stadium, but they were 28-0 winners at the KC Stadium and they will again be confident on home soil.
Not many people saw KR's win against St Helens coming last week. I spoke with fans beforehand who didn't think they'd win. I met one of the same fans after the game who shouted, "I told you we'd win, fatty!" He's obviously got a split personality.
Chris Chester did tell me pre-game they'd win; he even made the bold prediction in front of his chairman Neil Hudgell, who looked happy with the confidence coming out of the camp, but also that worried look as if to say: "Has the lad had a drink?"
The Robins produced a huge performance against the best team in Super League this season. They worked hard as a team and made the most of any scraps. Mitch Allgood's availability will soften the blow of James Green missing the game due to a one-match ban for his hit on former team-mate Travis Burns, while Albert Kelly and Terry Campese will guide a skilful side around.
I did also say that most of the Hull KR forwards are small, compact and similar to pea-shooters; they will have a go but not hurt you. Well a huge apology to all. What they lack in size they make up for in heart and that's all that counts in a brutal sport. You can be as big as you want but if you don't want it enough you'll be beaten.
Prediction: It’s a tough call but I'm going for KR to win by eight points.
Castleford v Leeds: 12.30pm, Fri, Sky Sports 1 HD
Barrie says: It’s the first time in a long time that we haven’t had a Leeds v Bradford derby over the Easter weekend but Castleford will gladly step into this fixture. Like any west Yorkshire team they will relish the chance to have a go at the Golden Boys of the area.
Whatever motivation they lack - which I expect not to be very much - will be provided by head coach Daryl Powell, who will inspire them for the fixture too.
The Rhinos had another morale-boosting win over in Perpignan last weekend which will give them great confidence as they travel to Castleford. Castleford have been a bit scratchy this season while Rhinos have only lost one game this season. I enjoy watching Castleford and I particularly enjoy watching their set piece plays. In the modern era of flamboyant, free-flowing rugby, Tigers are a team that put a lot of time and effort into it.
The strength of Leeds is their conditioning. They came back well against Catalans and for me that was down to fitness. I tend to look at games in quarters rather than halves, and the fourth quarter seems to always be where they dominate and end up coming out on top.
Prediction: I’m going with Leeds to win this one by eight.
Terry says: Castleford like playing against local rivals and big city neighbours Leeds. Daryl Powell knows all about these derbies, having played for Leeds in a distinguished career, but also growing up supporting the team he's now in charge of.
Cas ground out a tough win last week against Hull and they have won three of their four home games this season. They like coming up against the big sides - just ask Wigan - and proving the doubters wrong once again.
Other good news for the Tigers is that Luke Dorn has just signed a new deal, which will give Daryl a big boost. He has scored 141 tries in 221 Super League appearances which is not a bad return; another one against Leeds wouldn't go amiss.
What a week it has been for the Rhinos off the field. Jamie Peacock is leaving to become football manager at Hull KR and Kevin Sinfield, Leeds’ best captain in the Super League era if not of all time, is crossing codes. The way both players have played and carried themselves on and off the field is a credit to them and I'm sure they've left a huge legacy at the club and inspired the next generation.
Kevin has led the Rhinos to six Super League titles, three World Club Challenges and one Challenge Cup success since making his debut for the club at the age of 16. He’s a quality man who deserves to go out on a high and a huge good luck to him.
Will the loss of both of those players inspire the Rhinos to finish 2015 on a high? It will certainly focus them and this game will be the club's first challenge.
Prediction: Leeds narrowly by six.
Wigan v St Helens: 2.40pm, Fri, Sky Sports 1 HD
Barrie says: Both of these teams are in a good frame of mind for this encounter. Wigan got some points on the board last week against Wakefield but leading up to that you could see that Shaun Wane was not happy with the performances of his team, feeling that they had fallen short of their own high standards.
Saints weren’t good enough against Hull KR last week and to make matters worse they picked up a few injuries too, Atelea Vea – who I think has been one of the best forwards in Super League all season – and Travis Burns will both miss the game this weekend.
So Saints will be a bit depleted but there will be no sympathy from their hosts; if Saints are on the ground then mark my words, Wigan will take great joy out of putting the boot in. These two sides have history and of course Wigan will be looking to avenge last year’s Grand Final.
These games are very rarely won off the back of a moment of brilliance or skill, they’re won by the team and the individuals who work harder throughout the match. When I was growing up watching these games, the passion of them was close to unrivalled.
Prediction: I’m going to go with a Wigan win by 10 points.
Terry says: This is the battle of all battles – their first meeting since last year’s Grand Final. All the talk this week has mainly focused on the Ben Flower incident on Lance Hohia. That's only natural but both teams need to keep a lid on it. You cannot play on emotion alone, if you do you will make irrational decisions that could cost you. Play physically by all means but play within the rules.
In the off-season Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan invited some of the Warriors players and Waney down for a coffee in Manchester (and charged them as well). The respect the players have for each other is without question but for 80 minutes they are the enemy, no matter how close they are off the field.
I admire both clubs and after playing in this fixture for 11 years with Wigan, I've witnessed and played in games that we've had no right to win and we've won, and lost games we should have won.
St Helens will again be without their first-choice half-backs after Travis Burns suffered a fractured cheekbone on his return to Hull KR. He'll be warming the bench alongside Luke Walsh. Also missing is Atelea Vea, who is possibly the most astute signing of the year.
Wigan blasted Wakefield apart last weekend to pick up a much-needed victory. Young Ryan Sutton is back and it's rare you say that a 19-year-old prop will give them a massive boost. He is a player with huge potential and one I greatly admire. His battle with another youngster Luke Thompson will have fans sat on the edge of the DW seats.
I don't think I've backed against Saints this year but I'm going for Wigan at home. They have a few players back in contention, while Saints are missing two of their standout performers.
Prediction: Wigan by 10.
Wakefield v Catalans
Barrie: Catalan by 16
Terry: Catalan by 18
Widnes v Warrington
Barrie: Warrington by 12
Terry: Warrington by 14
Huddersfield v Salford
Barrie: Huddersfield by 8
Terry: Huddersfield by 12
