Key backing Leeds revival

Key knows his side is in an increasingly tight spot at the bottom of the league, with just three losing bonus points from nine games in their 2010 campaign.

And defeat at Kingston Park would open a minimum 10-point gap on the Yorkshire club, who were last relegated from English rugby's top flight two years ago.

But the rugby director insisted that morale at the club remained high following successive Amlin Challenge Cup victories over Italian minnows Crociati.

The side has also been buoyed by the return England forwards Steve Thompson and Hendre Fourie, who will make their first Premiership appearances since late October.