New recruit named for Challenge Cup clash just two hours after signing

Leigh Leopards will travel to Belle Vue on Friday night for a hotly anticipated Challenge Cup clash between the two sides.

It could be an opportunity for Trinity to get their first win of the season on the board but they welcome an in-form Leopards’ side.

Leigh have won their last four in the league and have already beaten Trinity this season but Mark Applegarth will still be hopeful his side can get in the winning enclosure.

The Leopards only announced the signing of Frankie Halton at 10am this morning but by 12pm he was named in their Challenge Cup squad, showing the value that Adrian Lam puts on his new man.

Halton joins after his release from Hull KR and could feature in the forward pack to face Wakefield.

He replaces young prop Ben Nakubawai who looked to picked up a knock late on against Huddersfield last week.

We've named our twenty-one man squad for Friday night's clash against @WTrinityRL in the sixth round of the @TheChallengeCup which includes new signing, @frankie_halton. 📋#BeTheRoar pic.twitter.com/FyhzFR4wRF

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) May 17, 2023

As for Trinity there is still no debut for Luke Gale but that’s because the former Keighley man is cup-tied, not down to injury.

Injuries still continue in the centres though with no Reece Lyne or Samisoni Langi.

There’s a chance for young Oli Pratt who was recalled from York Knights and could feature in the centres instead.

Morgan Smith is once again named and will likely partner Mason Lino in the halves given Applegarth’s high praise for the youngster of late.

https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1658789464909443078?s=20