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The star-studded line-up Leigh Leopards could name in 2023

Leigh Leopards have an outstanding squad going into the 2023 Super League season.

And this should translate to a top first choice 17. So here is how they could line-up in 2023.

Fullback: Zak Hardaker
With Caleb Aekins leaving the club, new signing Zak Hardaker will be their first choice fullback with a chance for the former Leeds and Wigan man to play in his preferred position. He was given the number one shirt this weekend.

Wingers: Josh Charnley & Tom Briscoe
Josh Charnley is one of Super League’s all-time leading try scorers and the departure of Krisnan Inu will likely see Charnley become the club’s first choice winger alongside Tom Briscoe on the other edge, another experienced Super League winger. They will have to keep new man Umyla Hanley out of the side.

Centres: Ed Chamberlain & Ricky Leutele
With Nene MacDonald leaving the club to join Leeds Rhinos, it makes this pick easy with one of Leigh’s stars Ed Chamberlain settled at centre alongside star signing from Huddersfield Giants Ricky Leutele.

Halfbacks: Gareth O’Brien & Lachlan Lam
Lachlam Lam was a great signing for Leigh last year and it will be great to see him shine in Super League alongside another creative player in new signing Gareth O’Brien who may edge out the likes of Joe Mellor and Ben Reynolds.

Props: Tom Amone & Rob Mulhern
Adam Sidlow’s move to Salford leaves a gap at prop which will likely be filled by the signing of Rob Mulhern who will join Tom Amone in the front row. It is an understated but top front row.

Hooker: Aaron Smith
Leigh often started Aaron Smith at nine last year to give them stability at the start of the game before the introduction of star Edwin Ipape and that could be the same philosophy next year. Ipape is a dangerous threat off the bench and is the favourite for the Man of Steel.

Second-Rows: Oliver Holmes & Jack Hughes
Sam Stone is sadly headed to pastures new with Salford Red Devils but Leigh could have a very exciting new look backrow in the shape of former Warrington duo Jack Hughes and Oliver Holmes who will provide huge experience. They may just keep Joe Wardle out of the first choice 13.

Loose-Forward: John Asiata
After a superb season in 2022, John Asiata is nailed on to be Leigh’s first choice 13 going into 2023. He will cause teams problems in the middle.

Substitutes: Edwin Ipape, Kai O’Donnell, Joe Wardle, Matt Davis
Likened to Luke Yates, Kai O’Donnell is the ideal forward to bring off the bench for Leigh and will be supported by top notch forwards Joe Wardle and Matt Davis, the latter of which joins from Warrington. As aforementioned, impact sub Ipape could devastate teams off the bench.

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