The Leopards welcome the Wolves in a blockbuster Super League clash

Photo Credit – Adam Clarke

Leigh host top of the table Warrington on Friday night hoping to cause yet another upset in their remarkable campaign.

It’s fair to say that Leigh are already safe from the drop after just 12 rounds of the long season. They have put all their critics to shame after a simply stunning start to the year, winning seven of their 12 matches in the league, and making it through to the quarter-finals of the challenge cup.

Along the way they have beaten all the Yorkshire clubs, and shockingly dispatched of the Super League champions St, Helens. On Friday they will seek to cause yet another upset against the league’s in-form side.

Warrington have had a similar season in regards to expectation. After a rotten 2022, nobody could have expected them to bounce back so strong. They reinforced well and have an excellent pack on paper, currently sat on top of the Super League table, four points above their closest challengers.

The Wolves will be a huge test for the Leopards considering that they have only lost twice all year, and are brimming with confidence. Daryl Powell has got his side playing some excellent free-throwing rugby league, and this year they look the real deal.

Adrian Lam has set his sights on the play-offs, and as they currently sit fifth in the league, the dream is slowly becoming reality for Derek Beaumont and his Leopards.

Photo Credit – Mike Inkley

Both sides won their challenge cup fixtures last weekend, and Leigh actually come in to this tie having not lost once in their last five games. However, Warrington won the reverse fixture back in March and have just come out the right side of what was definitely their most challenging period of the calendar.

Furthermore, Leigh haven’t faired well against Warrington in the past, the last time they were victorious in this fixture was back in 2005, a long winless streak that they will hope they can put to bed this Friday night.

As for the team news, Adrian Lam has named an unchanged 21-man squad, hoping the lads that have served him well so far can provide another excellent performance.

Daryl Powell has had to recall his young gun half-back Riley Dean from his loan spell with Featherstone to replace the suspended Josh Drinkwater. Josh Thewlis has also been ruled out with a minor knock, and Leon Hayes drops out the 21, replacing them is Matty Russell and Tom Whitehead.

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