Leigh Leopards set to be “more aggressive” in recruitment after key change

Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam has spoken on the club’s recruitment plans following the exit of Chris Chester, admitting that the team could be “more aggressive” in the coming weeks and months.

The Leopards have already made a major mid-season move with the addition of Parramatta Eels forward Joe Ofahengaue, who made an impressive debut in the Magic Weekend win over Catalans Dragons.

Despite signing the prop, they still have room on the salary cap so the option to strengthen still remains with Leigh ticking along very nicely this season and perhaps even flying under the radar.

After five consecutive wins, they’ve made it to the Challenge Cup semi-final and are soundly established as third in Super League but they have just lost one key man.

Director of Rugby Chris Chester has departed with Castleford Tigers appointing him to that same role and Lam spoke with the media about the impact of losing someone who has helped bring such success and talent to the club.

Lam and his son Lachlan had also spoken about the player’s off-contract status, telling Serious About Rugby League when that could be resolved.

Adrian Lam hints at more Leigh Leopards mid-season signings

Paying tribute, Lam said: “He’s obviously a very close friend of mine. I was fortunate enough to play with Chris and then work with him here and we had a really good working relationship.

“We’ll power on as usual, mate. This club isn’t about one person. We’re doing pretty good at the moment. We’re sat in third spot in the Super League and 80 minutes away from Wembley.”

He added: “I’m sure that’s the right decision for Chris and his family moving forward, being closer to home and having more time with the family but for us, we’ll just get on with it and we’re pretty excited about what lays ahead here for the club.”

Lam had previously spoken on the fact that he was very involved with Chester in the role of recruiting and when asked if that meant the task now fell at his desk, he explained how exactly the club would operate in the coming weeks and months.

“I worked really closely with Chris throughout the last three and a half years and like I said we formed a really good connection,” Lam explained.

“Nothing will change too much in that in that area, I’d say that Neil Jukes and Derek might play a little bit more of a role within all of that but that’s fine too.

“It’s business as usual for us and nothing will change too much, in fact it probably might go more aggressive so I’m pretty excited about that.”

It’s unclear how exactly Leigh will be more aggressive but it perhaps hints at more mid-season recruitment given their available salary cap space.