Leigh Leopards will be without Kai O’Donnell when they take on Salford Red Devils in the Super League play-offs this evening. Adrian Lam has named a strong Leopards team, but O’Donnell is conspicuous by his absence at the Salford Community Stadium.
The back-rower has been one of Leigh’s outstanding performers this season, with his displays on the edge being key to the club’s strong recent Super League form. However, he picked up an abdominal injury in the win over St Helens last week and despite being named in the Leopards’ 21-man squad he has not been passed fit to play.
With a move to North Queensland Cowboys in 2025 on the cards, the injury means that if Leigh lose tonight’s fixture, the forward will have played his last game for the Leopards.
As such, Jack Hughes starts for Lam’s side with the remainder of Leigh’s line up being as it was last week.
Paul Rowley has made plenty of changes to his Salford line up, but Ryan Brierley’s appearance on the bench has raised eyebrows. Chris Hankinson gets the nod at full-back while Loghan Lewis, fresh from seeing his deal extended, will come off the bench after overcoming a groin issue.
Salford Red Devils: Chris Hankinson, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Mellor, Gil Dudson, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Oli Partington.
Bench: Ryan Brierley, Joe Shorrocks, Shane Wright, Loghan Lewis.
Leigh Leopards: Matt Moylan, Darnell McIntosh, Umyla Hanley, Ricky Leutele, Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Rob Mulhern, Jack Hughes, Frankie Halton, John Asiata.
Bench: Brad Dwyer, Zak Hardaker, Aaron Pene, Owen Trout.
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