The confusion around Leeds Rhinos target Nene MacDonald after Leigh Leopard rebrand

Leigh Centurions have today taken the latest step in their history.

They have rebranded as the Leigh Leopards ahead of their return to Super League and have confirmed a host of signings as their 2023 squad was revealed and it is full of star studded names.

The likes of Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele, Ollie Holmes and Gareth O’Brien have joined the Leopards for 2023 and beyond as they put together a squad capable not just of surviving but pushing beyond that and fighting for the play-offs in 2023.

As they unveiled their squad for next season, there was some confusion around one player who was included in the Leigh’s list and that’s Nene MacDonald.

MacDonald was always contracted to Leigh for 2023 but there has been constant links to Leeds Rhinos for months now after a brilliant campaign.

This is largely due to the fact he is good friends with Leeds boss Rohan Smith after their time together in Australia at Norths Devils.

Many expected him to make the switch to Headingley for 2023 to open up a quota spot for the influx of new signings.

However, he was named in their squad for next year today. That said this would leave Leigh with 8 overseas players which is above the limit of seven imposed by Super League.

It could have been nine but Lachlan Lam has been taken off the quota due spending time at Wigan St Patricks as an amateur whilst his dad played for Wigan Warriors.

This means Leigh will likely have to offload one more player before the start of the season unless there is a way round taking someone off the quotas as there was with Lam.

Thus, it means that even though MacDonald was named in Leigh’s squad tonight, he yet be a Rhino especially with new centre Ricky Leutele joining.