Leigh Leopards man leaves club on short-term loan deal

A Leigh Leopards player has left the club on a short-term loan deal in a bid to establish match fitness after a return from injury.

The Leopards have had plenty of injuries this season with stars wingers Josh Charnley and Darnell McIntosh missing the majority of the season, however, another man who has returned from an injury-stricken 2024 campaign is Nathan Wilde.

Former Wigan prop Wilde joined the Leopards in 2023 making ten appearances in that debut season, however, opportunities have been hard to come by for him with the 25-year-old not featuring for Leigh in 2024.

Instead, he spent time on loan  with Doncaster and Widnes and he’ll now return to the Championship on a month-long loan deal with Featherstone Rovers, as confirmed by the Leopards.

Wilde has been named in the Leopards’ 21-man squad on a number of occasions this season, including last week against Hull KR, but with opportunities slim the club have opted to loan him out and ensure he maintains match sharpness.

Leigh Leopards man leaves club on loan deal

🐆 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗡

Leigh Leopards can confirm that Nathan Wilde has joined Featherstone Rovers on one month’s loan.

For more information visit ➡️ https://t.co/pIHlUCS4NV

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) March 26, 2025

A club statement confirmed Wilde’s exit with the forward set to join Featherstone who have struggled so far in 2025, winning just one of their opening three games in the Championship.

Leigh announced: “Leigh Leopards can confirm that Nathan Wilde has joined Featherstone Rovers on one month’s loan.

Leopards Head of Rugby Chris Chester said: “Nathan is an integral part of the group but right now with the squad as strong as it is he has found playing opportunities limited.

“With him returning from injury we need match fitness in him if he’s going to be ready when called upon, so we’ve decided to send him to Featherstone to get that match sharpness.”

Prior to joining Leigh, Wilde had represented Newcastle Thunder whom he had joined from Wigan after featuring in their academy system, even winning the 2019 Grand Final.