Leeds have one eye on Friday’s World Club Challenge as they prepare for their Super League clash with Wigan, coach Brian McDermott has admitted.

The champions go to the Challenge Cup holders on Sunday hoping to make it two league wins out of two but also aiming to take some momentum into their showdown with Australian premiers Manly.

“We’re mindful of it,” McDermott said.

“We know we will have to be very good against Manly so we’re using these two games to get as many points as we can and also to try to get some form and momentum. We need to be in good shape for when we play Manly.

“Nobody is getting rested and we’re not holding off. If it was round 25 and it was the Challenge Cup Final the week after I might be saying something different but we’ve only just got going.

“We need to build up as much momentum as we can so that we hit Manly with everything we’ve got.”

With a fully-fit group, McDermott has been able to leave out two members of his grand final-winning squad and admits the competition for places is providing a huge bonus ahead of the world title clash.

“It’s a massive incentive,” he said.

“Everybody is jittery about who’s going to get what shirt. They know if they don’t attain the standards that we know they can consistently, we’ve got a deep squad.

“That’s a great threat, I can’t motivate like that. You can get motivational speakers in and take them on team-building exercises but you can’t create better motivation than the thought that they’re going to lose that shirt. It’s the biggest motivation ever.”

While the Rhinos began the season with a 24-16 win over Hull KR, Wigan are smarting from a surprise 20-26 home defeat by Huddersfield but McDermott is expecting a difficult test at the DW Stadium.

“I didn’t think Wigan were far off,” he said. “They were a bit ropy but they will be a lot better this week.

“We weren’t happy with what we did last week. We know we’re going to be better.”