2023 Season Preview: Leigh Leopards

It's been quite the year for Leigh. A dominant season in the Betfred Championship saw them gain promotion back into Betfred Super League on the first time of asking, whilst a club rebrand will see the newly formed Leopards don a new look in 2023. Alongside the rebrand, they have a new look squad too. There's been a host of incomings and outgoings as the Leopards look to buck the trend of newly promoted sides suffering relegation in their first season back in Super League.

With Adrian Lam in charge, Leigh have a coach well equipped to take on this challenge. Lam finished the 2020 season with the League Leaders' Shield and a Grand Final appearance whilst head coach at Wigan Warriors and has put together a Leigh squad that will be competitive in 2023. The competition is wide open this season and the Leopards certainly aren't here to make up the numbers.

Ins & Outs

Ins

Gareth O'Brien (Castleford Tigers), Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves), Matt Davis (Warrington Wolves), Tom Briscoe (Leeds Rhinos), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants), Oliver Holmes (Warrington Wolves), Rob Mulhern (Warrington Wolves), Jacob Gannon (Warrington Wolves), Nathan Wilde (Newcastle Thunder), Ava Seumanufagai (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Outs

Adam Sidlow (Salford Red Devils), Luis Roberts (Leeds Rhinos), Krisnan Inu (retired), Caleb Aekins (released), Sam Stone (Salford Red Devils), Mark Ioane (Keighley Cougars), Ata Hingano (York RLFC Knights), Kieran Dixon (Widnes Vikings), Jy Hitchcox (retired), Nene Macdonald (Leeds Rhinos)

Ones to watch

2023 stars

2022 Championship Player of the Year Edwin Ipape is an exciting addition to Super League this year. The Papua New Guinea international took the Championship by storm after joining Leigh as a relatively unknown prospect, but quickly stormed onto the scene thanks to his barnstorming performances.

The Leopards number nine typically appeared from the interchange bench in 2022 and was expertly utilised by head coach Adrian Lam. Ipape's running game and ability to bust the opposition defensive line made him a constant threat in the Leopard's attack. He's already been touted as a front runner for the 2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel and should provide fantastic entertainment this season.

Can't wait to see Edwin Ipape in #SuperLeague with @LeighRLFC_ in 2023 ??

Expect game-changing plays like this ?? pic.twitter.com/cWsP2lIIOj
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) January 24, 2023

Ricky Leutele was desperately unlucky to miss out on a place in the 2022 Super League Dream Team. He was a standout in the centres for the Giants last season and is a fantastic acquisition for the Leopards in 2023.

Leutele crossed for 12 tries in 2022 as well as setting up another seven, along with an average of four tackle busts and over 100 run metres per game. He's naturally evasive, has a devastating offload and can easily stand up opposition centres. Leutele could be a huge point of difference for Leigh in 2023.

Next Generation

The Leopards secured the signature of highly rated youngster Jacob Gannon from Warrington Wolves ahead of the new season. Gannon has had to bide his time to get a chance in the top flight - he found opportunities limited at the Wolves and after loan spells in the Championship last season, has earned a shot at Leigh where he should be able to battle for a spot in their 17.

He's a young and energetic forward who will benefit from working alongside the likes of ball playing forwards John Asiata and Tom Amone. Keep an eye out for the youngster in 2023.

Defining dates

If Leigh can take anything from Toulouse's maiden season in Super League, it's the importance of playing well at home. Of Toulouse's five wins in 2022, four were on home soil. If the Leopards are to buck the trend of promoted sides lasting just one season in the top flight, they need to turn the Leigh Sports Village into a fortress.

Mellor magic ?

The Leopards take on Trinity when they return to #MagicWeekend in 2023 ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 29, 2022

Three of the Leopards last four games in 2023 are at home. And those games could be crucial in defining Leigh's first season back in the top flight. They meet a Giants side that could be battling for honours before a trip to the reigning Champions the week after in Round 25. The final two rounds of the regular season see the Leopards face off against Trinity - a game that could hold huge significance late on in the season - before ending the regular season at home against their closest neighbours, Wigan.

Squad list

1. Zak Hardaker, 2. Tom Briscoe, 3. Ed Chamberlain, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Josh Charnley, 6. Joe Mellor, 7. Lachlan Lam, 8. Tom Amone, 9. Edwin Ipape, 10. Rob Mulhern, 11. Joe Wardle, 12. Jack Hughes, 13. John Asiata, 14. Ben Nakubuwai, 15. Ben Reynolds, 16. Oliver Holmes, 17. Gareth O?Brien, 18. Matt Davis, 19. Aaron Smith, 20. Keanan Brand, 21. Jacob Jones, 22. Tom Nisbet, 23. Jacob Gannon, 24. Kai O?Donnell, 25. Nathan Wilde, 26. Umyla Hanley, 27. Ava Seumanufagai