Ryan Brierley is on the verge of a stunning return to Leigh Centurions.
TotalRL understands the halfback is on the verge of returning to the club where he burst onto the scene at the start of his career on a one-month loan deal.
The 27-year-old has been in and out of the Toronto team since August last year and has struggled to work his way into Brian McDermott’s long-term plans.
Brierley didn’t fly out to Canada with the rest of his team-mates on Tuesday in order to secure a shock return to Leigh.
The halfback enjoyed an incredible four-year period with the Leythers as they emerged as the best team outside of Super League, while Brierley himself became the hottest property outside the top flight after scoring an incredible 133 tries in 125 appearances for the Centurions, who were coached at the time by Paul Rowley. His try-scoring exploits saw him move into Leigh’s top five try-scorers in club history.
However, Rowley’s departure from the club on the eve of the 2016 season saw Brierley depart soon after, with Huddersfield paying a substantial five-figure fee to secure his services.
After scoring 15 tries in 25 appearances for the Giants, Brierley reunited with Rowley at Toronto after just over a year in Super League. He has scored 26 tries in 39 appearances for the Wolfpack.
But he is now set for a return to the club where he made a name for himself, a move that will come as a huge boost to Leigh’s play-off hopes. The manner of his departure from Leigh caused animosity among the club’s supporters but they are now set to welcome him back as Brierley looks to guide the Centurions to the top five, and potentially Super League.