Featherstone Rovers boss Brian McDermott brands Leigh Centurions as “frontrunners” due to “biggest spend” and “muscle memory”

Brian McDermott has branded Leigh Centurions as favourites for promotion to Super League in 2022.

That’s despite the fantastic recruitment made by him and the Rovers which was again bolstered by the signing of Ryley Jacks, Ben Mathiou and Adam Cuthbertson which were confirmed today on the back of Joey Leilua’s arrival yesterday.

Nonetheless, at Featherstone’s Press Day today the former Leeds Rhinos boss decreed that Leigh were the favourites for promotion.

“I think Leigh are the frontrunners,” McDermott said, “They’ll have the biggest spend, they’ve got that muscle memory of getting promoted.

“I think we’re in a really strong position, I’m really confident for us but if you’re a betting man I think you put your money on Leigh.”

Nonetheless, he was keen to emphasis the strong position he believes Featherstone are in at the moment both on and off the field noting that it’s his job to get the Rovers promoted in 2022: “I’ve bee hugely impressed with everything that’s gone on at Featherstone Rovers since I’ve been here. The players have done everything that’s been asked of them, they’re a good group. They were a tough set of people before I came. Featherstone as a team where probably – since Mark Campbell came on – have always been a resilient team but haven’t quite had the cutting edge at the end of the year.

“My job is to get promoted, to have the best team in the Championship and be in charge of the best team in the Championship and that’s to do with coaching and to do with the resources that get put into it and absolutely to do with recruitment. We have a single objective here and that’s to get promoted.

“These signings are going to enhance the squad and it’ll make the squad really competitive. As long as it’s a health competitive squad – and that’s my job to make sure it doesn’t become bad natured – then I think we’re in great shape.”