Leigh Leopards enjoyed a history-making third-place finish in Super League in 2025, as they improved once again under the tutelage of Adrian Lam.
Recording impressive home crowds, being in a battle for second for most of the year and finally getting victory over Wigan Warriors, the club welcomed success both on and off the field.
For 2026, the Leopards have brought in a number of new faces, with some moving over from the NRL. Adam Cook and Jacob Alick-Wiencke move across to the UK, whilst Innes Senior and Liam Horne both join from Castleford Tigers. They have lost Alec Tuitavake this off-season, in what is their only major departure.
Whilst things are certainly prospering at the Leigh Sports Village, there are still some huge questions that need to be asked if they are to replicate, or even better that in 2026. With star players coming off contract, selection issues and plenty of other key factors, head coach Lam has plenty of big decisions to make across the season.
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Three huge questions facing Leigh Leopards
How do they better 2025?Â
Since their rebrand to the Leopards, Leigh have gone from strength to strength, and continued to climb up the table as the years progress. But, have they reached their ceiling? Achieving third place in any season has to be deemed a success, but next year Lam’s men will want to break into the top two – a feat that is considerably harder than claiming third.
As well as Hull KR and Wigan, who will be strong again, Leeds and St Helens will both be keen to improve, with the likes of Hull FC, Catalans and Warrington looking to do the same. A more competitive division suggests that Leigh may not be able to break into the automatic semi-final spots, so how do they make sure they improve on last year?
One way they could do that is by prioritising the Challenge Cup. After bowing out at the semi-finals last year, the Leopards will want to get to Wembley at the very least, and a second Challenge Cup in four seasons, alongside a top four finish, would arguably be the improvement they are striving for.
Can they keep their star players?
Half-back Lachlan Lam is locked in for another two seasons, but there are some other huge players with less than 12 months of their deal, and that could start to become a huge concern if the club don’t manage to agree new deals as soon as possible.
Robbie Mulhern has been widely reported to have signed for Castleford Tigers next season, and whilst Umyla Hanley has been retained, Owen Trout is also off-contract at the end of the season.
If Leigh lose either of those key forwards, it will be a huge blow, so retention over recruitment has to be the key focus heading into 2027.
Where does Bailey Hodgson fit?
Filling in for the injured David Armstrong, Hodgson became one of the most consistent full-backs in the league, and proved himself worthy of a regular place in the starting line-up. However, once Armstrong returns, he will no doubt return to being first choice, following his 2025 move to the club from Newcastle Knights.
That leaves the former Castleford youngster out of the reckoning, and in a contract year, that could be a problem for the Leopards. With no guaranteed place in the team, Hodgson will no doubt have other clubs chasing him, and if he doesn’t envisage getting game time soon, he could make his way out.
A potential option is that he is used on the wing, but that would mean dropping one of Josh Charnley or Keanan Brand. Whilst it is a healthy headache, Lam’s selection plans will be made a whole lot harder once Armstrong returns to full fitness.
Given Armstrong’s recent set-back, it looks as though Hodgson has until around April to make a claim for keeping his place in the side, wherever that may be, or he has until that time to put himself in the shop window and try earn a starting spot elsewhere.
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