Leigh Leopards have named their squad for today’s home game against Castleford Tigers with a star man named in a surprise position and a debut handed out for new signing Lazarus Vaalepu.
The Leopards are on the charge with the club breathing down the necks of those in the play-offs and now they’re back at home, they’ll be keen to kick on in front of their Leigh faithful.
As for Castleford, they’re reeling after an embarrassing loss to rivals Wakefield Trinity who beat them 48-6 in a performance that was perhaps one of the worst across the Magic Weekend.
It was also a very costly defeat with three confirmed failed HIAs whilst both Liam Hood (neck) and Darnell McIntosh (groin) picked up concerns, something that forced Ryan Carr to recall Jack Ashworth and Jenson Windley from their loan deals.
Both Carr and Adrian Lam have now named their sides for today’s clash with kick-off at 3:00 pm at the Leigh Sports Village.
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Leigh Leopards team news
Adrian Lam has been forced into a handful of changes with three of his pack dropping out as Joe Ofahengaue, Robbie Mulhern and Aaron Pene all make way, whilst star centre Tesi Niu is another to drop out after all four emerged as injury concerns last week.
One surprise name who drops out is Bailey Hodgson, the player who would have been the obvious Tesi Niu replacement in the backs. Instead, Innes Senior moves to centre as David Armstrong shifts from full-back to wing with Gareth O’Brien playing at the back.
Louis Brogan and Matt Davis start at prop with new recruit Lazarus Vaalepu named on the bench.
Leigh Leopards XIII: Gareth O’Brien, David Armstrong, Innes Senior, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley, Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam, Matt Davis, Liam Horne, Louis Brogan, Jack Hughes, Owen Trout, Isaac Liu
Interchanges: Ben McNamara, Ryan Brown, Edwin Ipape, Lazarus Vaalepu
📰 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🐆
Your Leopards team for today’s clash against Castleford Tigers. pic.twitter.com/oXdX13LlYD— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) July 11, 2026
Castleford Tigers team news
Ryan Carr is also forced into changes but he’s made one unforced change that will catch the eye as Jenson Windley is chosen ahead of overseas man Tom Weaver.
Darnell McIntosh drops out as Louis Senior returns to face his brother but the major changes happen in the pack as Tyler Dupree and George Hirst both drop out through HIAs, with Brock Greacen also dropping from the bench for the same reason.
Castleford Tigers: Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Semi Valemei, Louis Senior, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jason Qareqare, Daejarn Asi, Jenson Windley, Joe Stimson, Ashton Golding, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor, Jack Brown
Bench: Renouf Atoni, Jack Ashworth, Sam Hall, Cain Robb
TEAM NEWS: STARTING XIII 🔒 LOCKED IN ⚫️🟡🐯
Your Tigers to face @LeighLeopardsRL at LSV 😤#COYF #Tigers #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/BVaacW7Jlq
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) July 11, 2026
