LEIGH LEOPARDS will make late calls on several players before Friday’s crunch game with St Helens, in which they will confirm a play-off place with victory.
David Armstrong (knee), Josh Charnley (leg) and Umyla Hanley (back) have all been named in Adrian Lam’s squad despite being injury doubts.
The only change to their 21 is Keanan Brand, back from a loan at Castleford Tigers, for AJ Towse.
Saints are without Alex Walmsley (head), Nene Macdonald and Jake Davies, who all suffered injuries in last Friday’s home defeat to Leeds Rhinos, plus the suspended Daniel Suluka-Fifita.
That has forced interim coach Eamon O’Carroll to draft youngsters Oscar Knox, Tyler McGann, Alfie Tate and Luca Walsh, none of whom have yet played a senior game for the club, into his 21-man squad.
It’s now do-or-die for St Helens, who must beat Leigh – something they haven’t done in their previous four meetings – and hope Hull KR are beaten by Huddersfield Giants on the same evening in order to take the play-off issue to a final-round decider with the Robins.
While they are only two points behind sixth-place Hull KR, there is also a points difference swing of 203 between the sides.
Leigh are hoping to set up their own key head-to-head with Wakefield Trinity, currently two points ahead in fourth, their last fixture.
SQUADS
Leopards: 1 David Armstrong, 2 Keanan Brand, 4 Umyla Hanley, 5 Josh Charnley, 6 Adam Cook, 7 Lachlan Lam, 8 Joe Ofahengaue, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 12 Owen Trout, 13 Isaac Liu, 15 Jacob Alick-Wiencke, 16 Matt Davis, 17 Liam Horne, 19 Innes Senior, 21 Gareth O’Brien, 22 Jack Hughes, 23 Andy Badrock, 25 Louis Brogan, 26 Nathan Wilde, 32 Jack Ashworth
Outs: 20 AJ Towse
Ins: 2 Keanan Brand
Saints: 1 Jack Welsby, 3 Harry Robertson, 4 Mark Percival, 5 Deon Cross, 6 Tristan Sailor, 7 Jonny Lomax, 12 Shane Wright, 13 David Klemmer, 14 Jacob Host, 22 Joe Shorrocks, 26 Jacob Douglas, 30 Tom Humphreys, 34 Cole Marsh, 37 Billy Keeley, 38 Matty Evans, 39 Chris Matagi, 41 Jack Campbell, Oscar Knox, Tyler McGann, Alfie Tate, Luca Walsh
Ins: Oscar Knox, Tyler McGann, Alfie Tate, Luca Walsh
Outs: 8 Alex Walmsley, 25 Nene Macdonald, 28 Jake Davies, 35 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Referee: Chris Kendall
STATS
Leigh have won their last four home meetings with St Helens.
The Saints’ last away victory against Leigh was 22-12 on 30 April, 2021.
Last ten meetings:
St Helens 20, Leigh 18 (SLR2, 20/2/26)
Leigh 28, St Helens 10 (SLR26, 12/9/25)
St Helens 4, Leigh 16 (SLR19, 17/7/25)
Leigh 18, St Helens 12 (SLR27, 20/9/24)
Leigh 46, St Helens 4 (SLR19, 26/7/24)
St Helens 12, Leigh 4 (SLR3, 1/3/24)
St Helens 22, Leigh 12 (SLR25, 8/9/23)
Leigh 12, St Helens 10 (CCSF, 22/7/23)
(at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
Leigh 20, St Helens 12 (SLR4, 10/3/23)
St Helens 42, Leigh 12 (SLR21, 26/8/21)
Super League summary
Leigh won 6
St Helens won 9
Leigh highest score: 46-4 (H, 2024) (also widest margin)
St Helens highest score: 78-4 (A, 2005) (also widest margin)
ROBBIE MULHERN needs one appearance to reach 100 for Leigh Leopards.
– Debut: Salford Red Devils (h) (SL) (L20-10) (Prop) (17 February, 2023)
JACK WELSBY needs one appearance to reach 200 for his career.
– 185 for St Helens (2018-2026)
– 14 for England (2022-2025)