Barrie McDermott backs surprise Super League side to get all the way to Wembley

Barrie McDermott has surprised one outside to get all the way to Wembley.

That is the newly promoted Leigh Leopards who have impressed everyone in Super League so far in 2023.

Speaking on the Leopards on BBC Five Live, McDermott said:

“They could be well and away to Wembley. I remember listening to Derek saying he played in the 1895 Cup and I think it was his company sponsored it, AB SunDecks.

“So his team had won it last year and how good it would be to be at Wembley the following year and who would back against them?”

Kev Brown agreed but cautioned them ahead of their meeting with bottom club Wakefield Trinity: “They’ve got a massive chance because of the way they play. What I will say is a bit of a banana skin for them. The pressure is completely off Wakefield.

“Like Baz says, they’re not going to use this as a priority game to win, but it might just give them that freedom to start attacking because I can’t remember watching a team attack so poorly ever, Championship or Super League.

“What they do with the ball is it’s just drive after drive and then a poor kick at the end. If they can just drop the shackles and get some confidence in this game, regardless how much they see it as a priority.

“If they can start playing well, the love and the energy and excitement that they’ll gain will benefit them in the league.

“To beat Leigh, who are a fantastic side that have just terrorised Huddersfield Giants, they’ll have to play much much better but it’s not unheard of in the Challenge Cup this is why we love the competition.”