DOCUMENTING the upward trajectory of the Leigh Leopards has been somewhat remarkable.
From a Championship side in 2022 to Challenge Cup winners and third-placed Super League competitors in three years is nothing short of miraculous.
The Leopards once more made it to the play-off semi-finals in 2025, only to lose to Wigan for a second year running – will it be third time lucky in 2026?
Well, head coach Adrian Lam is another year wiser and his recruitment has been a bit different this off-season given the lack of turnover as in previous campaigns.
Overseas stars Jacob Alick-Wiencke and Adam Cook join Innes Senior and Liam Horne from Castleford as Leigh have finally managed to keep the bulk of their squad together for once.
That, in itself, is a winning combination as Lam aims to improve on a record third place in 2025.
The only potential caveat is the exit of Chris Chester. Yes, he left as head of rugby for Castleford midway through last season, but the full effects are still yet to be felt.
Chester was responsible for bringing the likes of Tom Amone, John Asiata, Tesi Niu and Lachlan Lam to Leigh – could this affect Leigh’s future growth?
One to watch
David Armstrong showed real potential at the start of his Leigh career, scoring eight tries in 15 appearances before being written off at the beginning of July with serious knee damage.
He’ll miss the opening rounds of this season too, but it will be interesting to see whether the Australian full-back can rediscover his form – or even reclaim his place, considering how Bailey Hodgson impressed at the back as his replacement.
Talking tactics with Jodie Cunningham
Leigh play a very exciting brand of rugby, often orchestrated by Lachlan Lam with over 40 try assists to his name in the 2025 season.
Leigh play with a lot of width, often hitting either edge on back-to-back plays but if there is any criticism to be made around their attack last year, it is the lack of organisation on last plays, therefore not ending sets how they would like.
Adam Cook coming in to partner Lam in the halves will provide a new dynamic to the kicking game of the Leopards, which could in turn put opposition teams in bad spots and allowing Leigh to enjoy a more aggressive defence when teams are trying to work out of backfield.
Potential milestones
Josh Charnley needs 12 appearances for 400 in his career
Matt Davis needs 15 appearances for 100 for Leigh
Gareth O’Brien needs 10 tries for 100 in his career
Squad: 1 David Armstrong, 2 Keanan Brand, 3 Tesi Niu, 4 Umyla Hanley, 5 Josh Charnley, 6 Adam Cook, 7 Lachlan Lam, 8 Joe Ofahengaue, 9 Edwin Ipape, 10 Robbie Mulhern, 11 Frankie Halton, 12 Owen Trout, 13 Isaac Liu, 14 Aaron Pene, 15 Jacob Alick-Wiencke, 16 Matt Davis, 17 Liam Horne, 18 Bailey Hodgson, 19 Innes Senior, 20 AJ Towse, 21 Gareth O’Brien, 22 Jack Hughes, 23 Andy Badrock, 24 Ben McNamara, 25 Louis Brogan, 26 Nathan Wilde, 27 Kavan Rothwell, 28 Ryan Brown, 29 Will Brough, 30 Oliver Polec
Ins: Jacob Alick-Wiencke (Gold Coast), Oliver Polec (St Helens), Innes Senior (Castleford), Adam Cook (Canberra), Liam Horne (Castleford)
Outs: Darnell McIntosh (Castleford), Ethan O’Neill (Leeds), Jack Darbyshire, Alec Tuitavake (all released), Brad Dwyer (Salford)
RLW predicts: 3rd
First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 517 (February 2026)