But McClennan admitted Saturday's 37-24 win in the south of France, which lifted them three points clear of third-placed Les Catalans Dragons, will send Rhinos into the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens in five days' time in great heart.

In temperatures above 30 degrees, Rhinos hit back from 18-6 and 24-16 down to inflict Catalans' first home loss since March and end their seven-game winning run.

Said McClennan: "There's a long way to go in the Super League competition. They're only three points behind us and we remain first equal with St Helens.

"There's the semi-final on Saturday and now all our focus is on that. Fortunately, we had planned the trip to France with the semi-final in mind.

"The staff are taking good care of the players. We kept them hydrated after the game and we've tailored our week so the players' bodies can regenerate and they can be right for Saturday.

"In professional Super League, it's amazing the amount of weight a player loses just in a normal game.

"In that heat they'd have lost a bit, but we had loads of fluid there – to make sure they got rehydrated – and they had a stretch down straight after the game.

"They'll be all right."

Rhinos' comeback stunned a full-house crowd at Stade Gilbert Brutus and McClennan hailed his team's "good character".

He said: "They are a tenacious side and they're doing great things in the competition. I want to pay full credit to them.

"Catalans made it really tough, but we hung in there. It was a good effort and we're really pleased.

"In the first half it was very hot, but the sun went down in the second half and it noticeably cooled down.

"We'd subbed Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai fairly early in the first half, keeping in mind that it was going to be the fourth quarter that was going to be the winning of the game.

"The team showed dogged determination and came up with a very important win for our club.

"We have ticked some boxes, but we've still got some work to do yet."
McClennan praised half-backs Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow for their role in the comeback.

He also paid tribute to hooker Matt Diskin, who was close to missing the game due to an elbow injury and winger Scott Donald for his spectacular long-range try late in the second half.

"Disko was very brave, he came up with some good plays," said the coach. "There was lots of things you could say about lots of players, Jamie Peacock, as usual, was very strong with his carries.

"That bit of Scotty Donald brilliance on a kick return was one of the better tries you'll see and he's done a couple of those this year."
Scrum-half Burrow had no doubt about the significance of Rhinos' victory.

He said: "It was a massive win, a turning point of the season and a great way to enter a semi-final.

"It was pretty tough in the first half with the sun in our eyes.

"We don't always win, but we never give in and the team sticks together. This time things went right and in the second half we showed the old Leeds.

"It was a great feeling, there's so much relief that we can come back and win games."

Rhinos flew home yesterday and medical staff were today checking on second-rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and who is a semi-final doubt.