Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons team news as Adrian Lam forced into changes

Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam has made three changes to his squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Catalans Dragons.

The Leopards will be without David Armstrong once more through injury. The full-back has a quad issue and is now in a race against time to be fit in time for next week’s Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Warrington Wolves, Lam confirmed on Wednesday.

Frankie Halton misses out, as does Keanan Brand, who have both suffered soft tissue injuries. Lam admitted that as many as four players were rated as doubts for the clash at St James’ Park, too, with Gareth O’Brien, Jack Hughes, Tesi Niu and Umyla Hanley on that list.

All four have been named in the fold, with Niu and Hanley included after missing the last few weeks due to muscle injuries. Lam rated the pair as 50/50 to be involved in Newcastle when speaking to the press on Wednesday.

Edwin Ipape is included as well after serving a one match ban. However, Aaron Pene is a notable absentee.

Catalans boss Steve McNamara has made two changes and welcomes Sam Tomkins back into the action after an injury lay off. Leo Darrelatour also steps back into the fold with Tommy Makinson and Franck Maria dropping out.

Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons 21-man squads

Leigh Leopards: Darnell McIntosh, Tesi Niu, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam, Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Jack Hughes, Isaac Liu, Matt Davis, Brad Dwyer, Louis Brogan, Ethan O’Neill, Andrew Badrock, Ben McNamara, Nathan Wilde, Bailey Hodgson, AJ Towse, Joe Ofahengaue.

Catalans Dragons: Sam Tomkins, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Tevota Pangai Jr, Benjamin Garcis, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Elliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington, Alrix Da Costa, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Bayley Sironen, Cesar Rouge, Paul Seguier, Theo Fages, Fouad Yaha, Matthieu Laguerre, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Leo Darrelatour.