The long awaited return of fans ends tonight for Leigh and Wigan

(Leigh Sports Village)

Round six of the Betfred Super League sees the long-awaited return of fans. It is the perfect time for Leigh fans, as 4000 passionate Leythers will be in attendance for the local Derby, as neighbours Wigan Warriors travel to Leigh Sports Village tonight.

The return of fans comes at a good time for John Duffy’s side. A team that relies heavily on their strong home support. In their previous season in Super League Leigh were able to pick up home wins against Warrington, St Helens, and a big 50-34 win against Wigan. Duffy will be hoping his side can replicate that performance tonight.

After returning to the top flight for the first time since 2017, the Centurions have had to endure a difficult start-losing their opening five games. Including an opening round 20-18 defeat against the Warriors at Headingley. On the night Leigh raced into an 18-0 lead in the first half, before Adrian Lam’s side pulled themselves back into the game, to take the two points.

Wigan come into the game unbeaten in the league having won all of their games so far this season. But they do come off their first loss of the season, after a “very disappointing performance” in the Challenge Cup with Hull FC getting the better of the Cherry and Whites.

Adrian Lam admitted in his weekly press conference “A loss like that will linger for some time. We’ve had honest, sharp conversations about it so now we can move on and look at what’s next.

He spoke highly of Leigh ahead of the game and is expecting a tough challenge. They’re a team who’ll be physical and aggressive and they’ve been playing some good rugby without winning”.

Team News

Wigan Warriors

One change in the Warriors 21-man squad from last week with Kai Pearce-Paul replacing James McDonnell.

Tony Club is serving his second of an eight-match ban and Tommy Leulaui remains unavailable with a sternum injury. Oliver Gildart is still out but is close to a return from a groin injury.