Leigh and Wigan have both announced their 21-man squads for Friday night’s Round One clash at Headingley Stadium (KO 8:15pm).
The Centurions will be raring to go on their return to Super League after being selected as the club to replace the expelled Toronto Wolfpack.
They’ve recruited well in the off-season, picking up experienced players including Ben Flower and Tyrone McCarthy as well as up-and-coming youngsters like Keanan Brand and Josh Eaves.
The Warriors have also bolstered their roster in the shape of England international John Bateman and exciting Aussie halfback Jai Field, and will be looking to go one better after their narrow Grand Final loss to St Helens back in November.
The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena, with coverage starting from 8:00pm.
Leigh Centurions
Ben Flower misses out on a reunion against his former club as he continues to recover from a leg injury sustained whilst playing for the Warriors, while Junior Sa’u is unavailable due to a knee problem. New signing Brendan Elliot also misses out, as does Nathan Peats, who only joined the club earlier this week.
19-man squad: 1 Ryan Brierley, 2 Matty Russell, 3 Iain Thornley, 5 Lewis Tierney, 6 Blake Wallace, 7 Joe Mellor, 9 Liam Hood, 10 Mark Ioane, 11 Ben Hellewell, 12 Jordan Thompson, 14 Matty Wildie, 15 Alex Gerrard, 16 Nathaniel Peteru, 18 Matty Gee, 19 Nathan Mason, 20 Adam Sidlow, 21 Tyrone McCarthy, 24 Keanan Brand, 27 Josh Eaves.
Wigan Warriors
The Warriors are without a host of stars due to injury, including Liam Marshall (ACL), Dom Manfredi (thumb) and Oliver Gildart (groin). Young threequarters Sam Halsall and Umyla Hanley, and back rower or centre James McDonnell, are included in their place. Bevan French, meanwhile, is due to arrive in the country next week, while Jackson Hastings has only done a week’s training after both were granted extended time at home in Australia. New signing Jai Field has overcome a back problem to make the 21, while England John Bateman will also make his return to Super League.
21-man squad: 3 Zak Hardaker, 6 Jai Field, 7 Thomas Leuluai, 8 Brad Singleton, 9 Sam Powell, 10 Joe Bullock, 11 Willie Isa, 12 Liam Farrell, 13 John Bateman, 14 Ollie Partington, 15 Morgan Smithies, 17 Tony Clubb, 19 Liam Byrne, 20 Harry Smith, 21 Etahn Havard, 22 Jake Bibby, 23 Mitch Clark, 25 Joe Shorrocks, 28 Sam Halsall, 29 James McDonnell, 30 Umyla Hanley.
