The RFL disciplinary committee found Smith guilty of kicking out during last Friday's final eliminator against Wigan Warriors, but decided not to impose a ban.

The Grade C offence carried a maximum suspension of four matches and McClennan said: "It is a big relief.

"If he had got a match, it would have been hard to put into words. You can't put a limit on how many matches a Grand Final is worth.

"On a personal level, the young man has been training hard all year and he will get the chance to go out and play in the big match."

McClennan, who represented Smith before the committee, added: "I was pleased with how the judiciary handled the case.

"I think they have been pretty good throughout the year.

"It is a system they will always keep improving, but I thought they were very good.

"It was a bit of a unique case in relation to how the player finished up in the tackle.

"They considered all points of view and we are really happy, we feel it was a fair hearing."

Smith, who was fined £300, scored two tries in the victory over Wigan and was among Leeds' try heroes in last season's Grand Final demolition of St Helens.