Leigh Leopards boss gives injury update with huge fitness calls to come for Challenge Cup semi-final

Boss Adrian Lam is facing an anxious week as he sweats on the fitness of key Leigh Leopards players ahead of Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington Wolves.

An injury-hit Leopards side hit back from 12-0 down to pip Catalans Dragons 26-24 in today’s opening Magic Weekend fixture at St James’ Park.

Leigh were without a host of first-choice players and Leopards’ boss Lam admitted many of them are touch and go for the Cup clash.

“David Armstrong is Armstrong 50-50,” he said.”Umyla Hanley is probably 60-40 to play, Keenan Brand and Frankie Halton are 50-50. Aaron Pene is probably not likely to play, Alec Tuitavake is 50-50, Jack Hughes is 50-50.

“I might have to wait until late with one or two of them, but I want to go into the game with a fit team. It is going to be a massive week for us and we are pretty excited about it.”

Lam admitted the result in Newcastle was better than his side’s performance, but he hailed their resilience and toughness and identified Ben McNamara’s goal kicking as the match-winning factor.

The coach said: “As long as we won today, whether it was one point or 10 or 20 didn’t matter. We had a lot of changes and a lot of disruption.

“I thought the performance was going to be clunky and to get to the end in front was going to be great for the lads.

“We came up on the same day as well, which was difficult and we had a bit of a sluggish start, but the goal kicking made a massive difference.”

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Lam reckons it was the sort of win which will give Leigh momentum for the rest of the campaign, including the semi-final.

“We gave them a bit of a start,” he said. “Against Catalans that’s the last thing you want to do, but I was really pleased with the resilience and toughness and being united to come back into the picture and to score right on half-time, which was a massive play for us.

“Those games, it definitely helps and I think it can bring the team together with a lot of new faces and changes.”

But he stressed: “There’s a long way to go with this group, a mile to go. The way we connect as a team, I don’t think we’re anywhere near where we want to be, but the effort areas are there and we turn up for each other and that’s what I am really happy about. I am also patient because I know it will take some time.”

Aside from the win, Samoan international Joe Ofahengaue’s debut, following his move from Parramatta Eels, was one of the positives for Lam.

“He was very good,” he reflected. “He had his moments in the game as well. Any player that comes from Australia or overseas, it takes a long time to get used to the conditions and weather and the style of rugby here.

“Today’s weather was more like what he is used to so that certainly helped, but I think he is going to play a big part for us moving forward.”

⏱️ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 and Leopards will be heading back from Magic Weekend with the win! pic.twitter.com/cG6HA1c0nA

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) May 3, 2025