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2026 Season Preview: Leigh Leopards
2 hrs
Betfred Super League Semi-Finalists in each of the last two seasons, the Leigh Leopards will be aiming to go one better this season and seal a place at Old Trafford for the very first time. Since promotion back to the top flight, Adrian Lam’s side have improved year on year and will be hopeful of making that final step in 2026.
The Leopards’ recruitment over the past three years has been almost faultless and they have managed to turn the ‘Leopards Den’ into a fortress beating the likes of Wigan Warriors, Hull KR and St Helens at home last season.
A combination of some real Super League stars in the like of Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape and Umyla Hanley, one of the smartest coaches around in Adrian Lam and the upward trajectory the club has been on since their return in 2023, Super League silverware could be on the horizon for Leigh.
Ins & Outs:
Ins: Jacob Alick-Wiencke (Gold Coast Titans), Oliver Polec (St Helens), Innes Senior (Castleford), Adam Cook (Canberra Raiders), Liam Horne (Castleford)
Outs: Darnell McIntosh, Ethan O’Neill, Brad Dwyer, Jack Darbyshire, Alec Tuitavake
Who are the ones to watch?
The Leopards big off-season signing comes in the form of halfback Adam Cook who arrived from Canberra Raiders in the off-season with the 25-year-old having spent most of his playing career in the Queensland Cup despite eight NRL appearances. Leigh will be hoping he can form a strong partnership with mercurial playmaker Lachlan Lam.
Elsewhere, the Leopards have Dream Team centre Umyla Hanley who had his strongest season to date last year scoring 11 tries and providing eight assists. Hanley will be looking to carry his impressive form into 2026.
Leigh’s battle for the fullback jersey is interesting as David Armstrong came into much fanfare and made a strong start to life in the Super League but has been out since June. In his absence Bailey Hodgson filled in and didn’t miss a beat with his ball carrying from back field. Both are fantastic options for Adrian Lam.
Hooker Edwin Ipape is a crucial cog in the Leopards wheel, and his physicality will no doubt come to the fore once again.
Who is the next generation?
One youngster who could potentially feature more for the Leopards in 2026 is winger AJ Towse. Keanan Brand was Leigh’s top try-scorer in the 2025 whilst the other spot on the wing chopped and changed with Josh Charnley holding the spot at the backend of the season. Towse will be hoping he can try and force his way into the team alongside fellow new signing Innes Senior.
What are the defining dates?
It’s difficult to say a club’s season can be defined in the opening month however how the Leopards start the season could tell us a lot about how they will fare for the remainder of 2026. Leigh face fellow 2025 Semi-Finalists Leeds Rhinos in Round 1 before tough trips to two teams tipped to be challenging at the top of the Super League table – St Helens & Wigan Warriors.
What is the 2026 squad list?
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. Jacon Alick Wienke, 16. Matty 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.
What are the Leopards' first three games on SuperLeague+?
SuperLeague+ is back for another HUGE year of live action, and this is when fans can watch the Leopards in the opening rounds (UK and Ireland)*
- Round 1: Leigh Leopards v Leeds Rhinos – Friday 13 February (K.O 8pm)
- Round 2: St Helens v Leigh Leopards – Friday 20 February (K.O 8pm)
- Round 6: Leigh Leopards v Toulouse Olympique – Saturday 28 March (K.O 530pm)
*Overseas viewers can watch EVERY Leopards match LIVE every week.
Sign up to SuperLeague+ today to enjoy 130 LIVE games, full match replays, highlights and other exclusive on demand content!
What are the Leopards' Betfred Odds?
Grand Final – 11/1
Regular season winner – 9/1
Top 6 finish – 8/15
Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Winner – Lachlan Lam 12/1
Click here for the full list of Betfred Super League betting odds
Where can I follow the Leopards on social media?
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The Leopards and 30 years of Super League:
Leigh’s history in Super League has been a tale of two halves.
Then known as the ‘Centurions’, Leigh featured in the Super League in 2006, 2017 and 2021 however all three seasons ended in immediate relegation back down to the Championship.
But the club’s fortunes changed following promotion at the end of 2022 and the rebranding to the ‘Leopards’. Since 2023, Leigh have competed in the Super League Play-Offs for three consecutive seasons and have been 80 minutes away from Old Trafford in each of the last two.
