When Danny McGuire runs onto the pitch at Huddersfield for Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final, the memories will come flooding back of his most memorable moment in rugby league.

The Leeds stand-off emerged a hero in the 2003 semi-final against St Helens by scoring two sensational tries from the bench, the first to help tie the scores and the second to seal a dramatic 33-26 win in extra time.

Rhinos also needed a touchline conversion from Kevin Sinfield to take the game beyond 80 minutes but the match is best remembered for McGuire's super-sub role and he needs no reminding as he prepares for this weekend's clash with the holders.

"I have great memories of that day," he said. "It's one of the best days of my career, without the shadow of a doubt.

"People still talk about it and remember me for that game. As a player, you've always got to remember the good times because you get plenty of bad ones to go along with them.

"It was a bit of a fairytale and it would be nice if we could do something similar but without having to go to extra time."

McGuire is free to line up against Saints after escaping a ban for a high tackle during Leeds' 39-24 win over Catalans Dragons in Perpignan last Saturday.

He had to pay a £300 fine after being found guilty at last night's meeting of the disciplinary panel but was always confident his place in Saturday's big match would not be jeopardised.

"I had never been up before the disciplinary before so I didn't know what to expect but I wasn't too worried," he said.

"It was more of a grab than anything malicious."

It is nine years since Leeds last won the Cup - they have been beaten finalists three times since their Wembley victory over London Broncos in 1999 - and they will go into Saturday's semi as underdogs against a side who have not lost in the competition for three years.

St Helens' current 15-match winning run includes a 26-12 League win at Headingley a month ago but McGuire is confident his side have overcome a mid-season slump in which they lost three out of four matches to concede top spot to Daniel Anderson's men.

"We had a bit of a sticky patch and we are probably still not playing as well as we're capable but you could say that about every team," he said.

"There is always room for improvement. Hopefully, we've had our sticky patch and we're back on track. We got a great victory last week in France and we're building a bit of momentum.

"They are always tough physical games against St Helens, they're probably the form side of the competition.

"We've played each other enough now, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"We're really looking forward to it. It's definitely the biggest game of the season so far. There is a lot at stake."

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