'Just another game' says Toronto Wolfpack coach Brian McDermott about his first competitive return to Leeds Rhinos

McDermott will be coaching against Rhinos for the first time since being sacked in June, 2018.

Toronto have already played at Headingley this year, when they were beaten by Castleford Tigers in Betfred Super League round one.

McDermott had a spell at Leeds as assistant to boss Tony Smith in 2004 and 2005 before leaving to take charge of Harlequins.

He rejoined Rhinos ahead of the 2011 season and, despite some inconsistent performances in the league, became the most successful coach in the club’s history.

Rhinos won back-to-back Grand Finals, both after finishing fifth in the table, in 2011 and 2012 and were Challenge Cup champions in 2014.

The following year they again won at Wembley, finished top of Super League and defeated Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final to complete an historic clean-sweep.

McDermott, also a World Club Challenge winner in 2012, secured his fourth Super League title three years ago.

“There is a story there if you want, but not for me,” McDermott said of coaching against Leeds at his former home base.

“Maybe if it had been last year, but it has been a couple of seasons now and I’ve been back there a couple of times, for the Super League launch and the round-one road game. Leeds have got their own story going on, they had a really good win [last week].”

McDermott joined Toronto for the 2019 season and steered them to top spot in the Betfred Championship and a win in the million pound game at the first attempt, losing just once. They are bottom of Super League after losing their opening five games, all away from home.