Super League has seen it’s first game of 2026 finish in golden point, after Leigh Leopards secured a one-point victory over Toulouse Olympique.
Gareth O’Brien secured the win for Adrian Lam’s side, slotting over the one point from 20 metres out. Toulouse managed to get back into the game after a slow start, but they just didn’t have enough to take the victory at the Leigh Sports Village.
Here are the major talking points from that game, including Leigh veteran Josh Charnley and a sin binning.
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Leigh Leopards v Toulouse Olympique talking points
Golden point drama:
After the opening 35 minutes, Leigh looked to be running away with the game, but a sensational fightback from Toulouse saw them claw their way back to 20-18 with a minute to go.
A late shot on Jake Shorrocks by Aaron Pene with just seconds to go saw the away side awarded a penalty 40m out, and they opted for the two. A sensational kick from the Toulouse half-back saw him slot over the two points and send the game to golden point for the first time this season.
The boot of O’Brien, as it has on many occasions in Super League, sealed the victory for Leigh as they sent the French side home empty-handed.
Leigh bounce back:
After four straight league defeats, Leigh earned their first win, but were made to work for the two points by a resilient French side. A Josh Charnley brace and tries from Innes Senior and Liam Horne saw them through,
Whilst it wasn’t a performance of their highest quality, there will elements of the game that will please boss Lam, particularly with so many senior players out on the sidelines.
The home side failed to score a point in the second half after going into the break 20-6 up. It took O’Brien’s last-ditch drop goal to take the win, but regardless of the second half lull, Lam will be happy with his side earning victory number two of the 2026 season.
Yellow for Brown:
The second half saw a sin bin for young Leigh forward Ryan Brown, who was making just his third Super League appearance this afternoon. Adam Cook’s high kick was caught in the in-goal area by Olly Ashall-Bott, and as he was going to the 20m line to restart play, Brown put on a shot, which caused players from both sides to run in.
Referee Aaron Moore and video ref Tom Grant agreed that 10 minutes in the bin was the punishment, and Toulouse made their man advantage count – scoring less than 90 seconds after the dismissal.
Classic Charnley:
As mentioned, Josh Charnley crossed for two tries in the win, as he nudged ever close to Ryan Hall’s Super League try scoring record. His effort’s today put him closer to the Leeds legend’s tally of 267, and the former Wigan and Warrington man is now just seven away on 260.
Something that is hugely in Charnley’s favour to break the record is that the Leigh man is four years younger, so will have a huge opportunity to break Hall’s record once he retires.
Toulouse’s slow start:
Just like in their defeat to St Helens, Toulouse started the game slowly, but their second half efforts managed to pull them back into the contest and push Leigh for the full 80.
Only in round one have Toulouse led at half-time in a game this year, and their poor first-half performances have often led to them having too much to do in the second 40 and inevitably losing the contest.
Honeymoon period over?
Nobody can question the starts that all three newly-promoted Super League side have had, but for Toulouse especially it feels as though their dream start might be coming to an end.
The adrenaline of being back in the top flight is starting to wear off, and teams are now becoming accustomed to their playstyle, making it even harder for Toulouse to spring a shock result.
Houles’ side are now winless in four after victory in their first two. With upcoming games against Catalans and Hull KR, it’s hard to see the Olympians gaining their next win any time soon.
