Leigh Centurions vs Wigan Warriors
Venue: Emerald Headingley
Kick-off: Friday 26th March, 8:15pm
Head-to-Head
Last Five Results: Leigh 12-6 Wigan (23/01/20), Leigh 50-34 Wigan (08/06/17), Wigan 60-10 Leigh (19/04/13), Leigh 22-30 Wigan (01/07/05), Wigan 62-6 Leigh (18/03/05),
Preview
Leigh mark their return to Super League, after a four-year absence, with a clash against League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan at Headingley. These two typically play out high scoring affairs and will be a good early test of the Centurions credentials in the top flight.
Leigh are set to hand debuts to several players including Joe Mellor, Blake Wallace, Lewis Tierney, Matty Russell Josh Eaves. However, Jamie Ellis, Junior Sa’u, Ben Flower and Nathan Peats, who signed earlier this week, are all not included in the 21-man squad.
Wigan are without Jackson Hastings and Bevan French who are both lacking match fitness following their arrivals back in the country, while Dom Manfredi and Oliver Gildart are both injured. The Warriors could hand a debut to Jai Field, with John Bateman also included by coach Adrian Lam.
Prediction
Not many people fancied Leigh to be given the 12th spot in Super League this season, now it’s time for the Centurions to prove their doubters wrong. John Duffy’s side couldn’t have asked for a much tougher start and might struggle against a Wigan side who finished the season in excellent form. Despite missing some key players, the Warriors should be comfortable winners in this one.
