Neither of these teams have had ideal starts to the season. They both remain winless and it could be said that this is crunch time for the two sides. Separated in the table by points difference alone it looks like it could shape up to be a close and competitive game. Both outfits have a point to prove after all.
Leigh actually have a very good record at Wembley. Their 100% record at Wembley in the Challenge Cup is quite rare – they’ve won two from two in the decider. However, the last win came in 1971 meaning it’s been a long 50 year wait between final appearances. On that occasion though, they beat Leeds by 24-7.
Huddersfield have had more success in the Challenge Cup, but their wait for a win in the final has been even longer than Leigh’s. They haven’t lifted the trophy since 1953. They have six titles to their name in total however and have been runners up four times. The most recent of these came in 2009. That was the start of a very good period for the club but since then it has been very slim pickings for the Giants. Can Ian Watson take them back to those heights?
The Leigh Centurions know that this will be a tough game and therefore have put out pretty much a full strength team. However they will be without the services of James Bell and Jamie Ellis. We all saw what they can do against Wigan in the opening round of the season, if they could repeat that performance, the new boys in Super League might pull off the shock.
The Giants are still without Aidan Sezer, Ash Golding, Ricky Leutele, Joe Wardle and Joe Greenwood but have still named a strong squad. Squad depth will be a big factor this season if last year’s competition is anything to go by and Huddersfield certainly have it. Ian Watson will be confident he’s picked the best of the bunch.
Leigh
1.Ryan Brierley
2. Matty Russell
3. Ian Thornley
24. Keanan Brand
5. Lewis Tierney
6. Blake Wallace
7. Joe Mellor
20. Adam Sidlow
9. Liam Hood
10. Mark Ioane
11. Ben Hellewell
18. Matty Gee
15. Alex Gerrard
21. Tyrone McCarthy
26. Nathan Peats
Huddersfield
5. Darnell McIntosh
2. Jermaine McGillvary
3. Jake Wardle
21. Leroy Cudjoe
24. Louis Senior
6. Lee Gaskell
16. Jack Cogger
8. Luke Yates
19. James Cunningham
22. James Gavet
11. Kenny Edwards
17. Chris McQueen
13. Josh Jones
Substitutes
9. Adam O’Brien
10. Michael Lawrence
14. Matty English
18. Jack Ashworth