Baking temperatures, a partisan, full-house crowd and fired up Les Catalans Dragons opposition turned Stade Gilbert Brutus into a cauldron and for a while, Rhinos wilted.

The Dragons came out breathing fire and at 18-6 down midway through the first half and 24-16 adrift early in the second, there looked to be no way back for Leeds.

But, though the hosts were much more used to the sapping conditions, it was Rhinos who found an extra gear and finished the stronger.

Halves Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow called the shots and as Leeds' pack – brilliantly led by Jamie Peacock and with Ali Lauitiiti contributing strongly off the bench – made light of the 30-plus degree heat, Rhinos scored 21 unanswered points in the final half an hour to finish convincing winners.

A tremendously exciting, thoroughly entertaining game was full of telling moments and turning points.

In the first quarter and soon after the break, it looked like being Rhinos' errors, three by the luckless Ryan Hall in particular and missed chances which would prove crucial.

But a huge hit by Nick Scruton, back after a three-match ban, on Jerome Guisset sparked Rhinos into life after a listless opening half an hour.

Another key incident came with 10 minutes to go and Rhinos two points ahead, when Leeds winger Scott Donald pulled off a sensational try-saving tackle on Gregory Mounis.

Then five minutes after that, Donald brilliantly extended Leeds' advantage with a glorious long-range try, fielding Julie Touxagas' high kick deep in Rhinos territory and slicing through the entire Catalans defence on an exhilarating dash to the line.

Skipper Kevin Sinfield missed with three of seven conversion attempts, including that one, but he landed a beautifully-taken drop goal moments later to nudge Leeds two scores clear and completed the scoring after the hooter, following Hall's second touchdown.

Leeds – fielding 15 of their Grand Final-winning squad with Ian Kirke making his long-awaited comeback off the bench – took control once the sun dipped, the heat began to ease and their energy levels rose.

After the break they recaptured some of the form which made them engage Super League's dominant team in the first half of the season.

Catalans had won seven straight and were unbeaten at home since March, but this defeat leaves them three points adrift of Leeds and St Helens, who are now clear favourites to finish in the top two.

With Thomas Bosc in excellent form, well supported by half-back partner Casey McGuire, Catalans were the better team for much of the first half, despite Lee Smith's early try, but they couldn't maintain that pace.

Smith had a fine game filling in at full-back for the injured Brent Webb and opened the scoring after just three minutes, touching down from Burrow's kick.