Page 37 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

PREVIEW

LEIGH CENTURIONS

RLW PREDICTS: 4th

If 2019 was about consolidation for Leigh Sammut has earned promotion out of
Centurions, 2020 is about getting back in the Championship once before as has
the hunt for Super League. Ben Hellewell, who makes the move from
It says something about the Centurions London. Ryan Ince is a proven try scorer
that they ended last year somewhat while Josh Woods will be better off after
disappointed, despite reaching the playoffs his previous stint with the Leythers.
and the 1895 Cup semi-final. The concerning observation from the
Given the turbulence and uncertainty of the outside is that Leigh appear to have plenty
club’s existence some 12 months before, of players not in their prime, whether that
what they achieved should have been be because it’s gone or not yet arrived.
championed as something of a miracle. Gregg McNally, Adam Higson, Sa’u, Andy
But now, with new hope and new Thornley and Martyn Ridyard are all in their
investment come new expectations. 30s and another five will be in the next 12
The club started to piece together their months. There are as many at the other
squad for 2020 on the fly last season. The end of the spectrum who have yet to turn
likes of Junior Sa’u and Ben Reynolds were 23. That gives John Duffy a bit of a juggling
recruited with a view to the year after, but act to contend with which is probably
also with the outside hope of a promotion trickier than it looks.
push last season. But Leigh boast more quality than most
The latter didn’t come off but the former of their counterparts, and, you’d suspect
is still a consideration for the fans and more Super League appearances than
their owner Derek Beaumont, who remains almost every club in the competition. Only
determined in his quest to establish Leigh London will be able to compete with them
as a Super league club. on that front.
Leigh continued to recruit in the off- If they can get a good start, Leigh will get
season. Danny Addy was the standout on a roll. They’ve not got the easiest of
capture but not the only one. Jarrod starts, but that works both ways.

STAR PLAYER COACH

2020 SQUAD:

1 Gregg McNally
2 Ryan Ince
3 Iain Thornley
4 Junior Sa’u
5 Adam Higson
6 Ben Reynolds
7 Jarrod Sammut
8 Nathan Mason
9 Liam Hood
10 Mark Ioane
11 Ben Hellewell
12 Andy Thornley
13 Danny Addy
14 Matty Wildie
15 Jordan Thompson
John Duffy has established himself as a 16 Sam Brooks
well-respected coach at this level. 17 Josh Woods
Danny Addy is a class operator at this The challenge for him now is to win the big, 18 Tom Spencer
level. As time has gone on, he’s gone from big games. 19 Martyn Ridyard
utility strike player to seasoned navigator. During his career, Duffy has exceeded
But the jack of all trades will come in very expectations for the most part, but 20 Liam Forsyth
useful indeed to the Leythers this year, missed out when it truly matters. Last 21 Nick Glohe
and will do it as captain. year was the same, overachieving with the 22 Craig Mullen
Successful at this level before, Centurions only to lose in a semi-final and 23 Callum Field
Addy should prove to be one of the then week one of the playoffs. 24 Brad Holroyd
Championship’s leading stars. He’ll be keen to put that right this year.

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