Leigh Leopards without star forward for Wigan clash as injuries continue

It’s time for another showing of the ‘Battle of the Borough’ tonight as Leigh Leopards host Wigan Warriors and both sides have now confirmed their matchday squads.

The game is set to be close to a sell-out with Leigh having taken to social media to confirm that there are very limited tickets left available for the highly-anticipated game.

Wigan Warriors are coming off the back of a loss for the first time since their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat back in June, whilst Leigh have started their Super League campaign with just one win in five.

Both teams are therefore desperate for the win and if last season’s dramatic Round 27 game is anything to go by then this will be yet another brilliant showing of Super League live on Sky Sports.

That Round 27 game last year secured Wigan the League Leaders Shield and ensured that Leigh didn’t make the top four, costing them a home playoff game whilst guaranteeing Wigan a bye.

There was much controversy in the clash, namely around the decision not to award Oliver Gildart a try and it led to an infamous rant by owner Derek Beaumont days later.

Of course, Gildart is a Hull KR player now with both Leigh and Wigan’s squad changing plenty but the needle between the teams is still there, as is the history with Adrian Lam and Wigan as both a player and a coach.

Leigh Leopards lose another star forward

Wigan will be without both Liam Byrne and Tyler Dupree due to suspension whilst the Leopards are missing Dream Team players Edwin Ipape, Tom Amone and John Asiata, but there were concerns around the health of other players before tonight such as Robbie Mulhern.

The teams have now been confirmed and Mulhern misses out with Owen Trout moved into the prop position alongside Dan Norman, whilst Kai O’Donnell, Frankie Halton and Jack Hughes make up the rest of the pack.

In-form Umyla Hanely starts against his former club whilst Ricky Leutele is back after having missed out of late. A key change sees Ben McNamara start at hooker and Brad Dwyer start from the bench.

As for Wigan Warriors, they boast an impressive squad despite the bans handed to Dupree and Byrne with their pack still boasting Luke Thompson, rising star Harvie Hill and veterans Willie Isa, Liam Farrell and Kaide Ellis.

Their bench features a blend of youth in Junior Nsemba and Tiaki Chan with the experience of Kruise Leeming and Patrick Mago to form an impressive side.

Leigh Leopards Squad

1 – Gareth O’Brien
24 – Umyla Hanley
3 – Zak Hardaker
4 – Ricky Leutele
5 – Josh Charnley
6 – Matt Moylan
7 – Lachlan Lam
14 – Dan Norman
21 – Ben McNamara
17 – Owen Trout
11 – Kai O’Donnell
16 – Frankie Halton
12 – Jack Hughes
Interchanges
Ben Nakubuwai
Matt Davis
Brad Dwyer
Ed Chamberlain

Wigan Warriors Squad

1 – Jai Field
2 – Abbas Miski
3 – Adam Keighran
4 – Jake Wardle
5 – Liam Marshall
6 – Bevan French
7 – Harry Smith
16 – Luke Thompson
9 – Brad O’Neill
20 – Harvie Hill
11 – Willie Isa
12 – Liam Farrell
13 – Kaide Ellis
Interchanges
Patrick Mago
Kruise Leeming
Junior Nsemba
Tiaki Chan