Adrian Lam makes surprise decision ahead of Warrington clash
Leigh Centurions v Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Pre-Season Friendly 21/01/2023. Ben Reynolds for Leigh Leopards during the Rugby League Pre-Season Friendly match between Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos at Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, United Kingdom on 21 January 2023. Leigh Leigh Sports Village Manchester United, ManU Kingdom Editorial use only PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK , Copyright: xRichardxWalkerx PSI-16773-0041
Tonight Warrington Wolves are hosting Leigh Leopards in a mouth-watering all Super League clash as both sides gear up towards the start of the new season.
The game celebrates Warrington star Ben Currie and his years of service for the Wolves and will see him come up against plenty of ex-teammates.
In terms of team news, of Warrington’s new recruits four will join the pack and it’s been revealed that all four of those big men will feature on Saturday, with three in the first 13.
Currie is joined in the pack by 2017 World Cup winner Josh McGuire, another NRL legend in Paul Vaughan and Welshman Gil Dudson.
The re-signed Matty Russell features on the wing whilst another Catalans star takes his spot in the halves with Josh Drinkwater partnering George Williams.
Sam Kasiano will find his first minutes as a Warrington player from the bench where he features alongside some accomplished names such as James Harrison, Daryl Clark and Greg Minikin.
Their back five looks to be near full strength with Matt Dufty at full-back behind Russell and Matty Ashton on the wings, whilst new skipper Stefan Ratchford pairs with Peter Mata’utia in the centres.
As mentioned Williams pairs with Drinkwater in the halves and Danny Walker completes the spine in the role of hooker, presumed starter Clark being on the bench.
Currie and Matty Nicholson are joined in the pack by that trio of signings, Vaughan, McGuire and Dudson.
The bench also features young Josh Thewlis and Tom Mikaele.
The interesting team news comes from Leigh though with Adrian Lam starting one of his star signings in an interesting position.
Former Warrington man Matt Davis starts the game at hooker ahead of ex-St Helens Aaron Smith with Man of Steel favourite getting his first minutes of 2023 off the bench.
Former Leeds Rhinos star Tom Briscoe also debuts off the bench.
This has certainly worked for Lam with Leigh leading when Ipape came on 4-0 after a Josh Charnley try as he and Umyla Hanley who joined recently from Wigan Warriors start on the wings.