I feel like team who hit preseason aggressively tend to start to break down around the end of May. Potentially what happened to us for years, easier preseason and we look fit now.

Shame about Satae but having him sit it out might actually benefit us. I’d like to have more mobile forwards around Ipape.

It’s nice to go into this game optimistic we can compete opposed to dreading it.

I’d look to start giving Balmforth some game time, looks good at Newcastle and Dwyer is erratic (and leaving)

Agree about Balmforth, I think sooner or later we maybe need to give him some game time. Would ease some of the hooking worries next year if he shows that he can step up. We will lose him to a team offering him more game time next year if he doesn't get a chance soon I feel (unless he has already signed an extention with us TBA)

Someone posted earlier in the week, he’d seen Litten hobbling about the stadium.

Yup, he didn't look too steady on his feet. who knows he might have just had a few too many

Would agree re giving Balmforth an opportunity soon with Dwyer leaving but I guess that also would depend on if Balmforth is staying or going himself.

Yeah I did see that, as I say I doubt we will see Litten in the 17 for Leigh but wouldn't be surprised if he was if 100% fit.

my opinion is that McNamara will end up playing nine but in the Championship

Seems strange but cant see him in the 17 anyway for this match unless we get a training injury to Hoy.
McIntosh did well enough to keep his place on the wing

Agree with this unfortunately for Litten he may have to wait a week or two

I don't think him sitting out another week is a bad thing. Darnell didn't do his chances any harm at magic (apart from the dropped ball) so he deserves his place this week.

If Balmforth is staying he needs to be in the squad sooner than later for me, especially if we're losing Lovodua, Dwyer and maybe Houghton. Its going to be tough to recruit 2 decent hookers in one off season.

Have Leigh announced a squad yet?

I want to like them, but they do things that makes them look tin pot.

No website, can't run a reserves and haven’t announced a 21 man squad

TBF you need to try and look into the reasons, and legalities as to why this is. I won't be posting any of that on these forums. Anyway, the way we are performing atm is good enough for me.

Can't deny what the first team are doing, but other things are letting them down. How a pro team doesn't have a working website is beyond me.

Why did Leigh enter the reserve comp when they've got no intention of fielding a team?

Like I say. First team is doing the business which will ensure they are in SL for the foreseeable, but other elements let them down.

They'll really struggle when/if Lam and Ipape go to the NRL they'd both be nearly irreplaceable.

Don't be silly now. We will be adding more quality to what we already have next season.

But without any kind of decent youth system to fall back on it won't matter. You can only spend the same as everyone else in the league. There's not a massive player pool available and you're not going to be able to attract quality NRL first team players as we can't compete with them.

Actually, I've never mentioned the NRL. TBH, I don't really get your point. Look, quality players will be at Leigh next season you can be sure of that (check out the new marquee rule). There's no point keep going on about the reserves. Reserves don't put bums on seats. Sad situation, but that's the way it is.

Have Leigh announced a 21 man squad yet? Is the rule still that this must be announced by noon, 48 hrs before the fixture? If so they’re a little late by now and after cancelling reserve games it doesn’t do them many favours surely.

I'm not repeating myself about reserves, look into it. It's a stupid debate that's going nowhere.

[url=https://www.superleague.co.uk/match-centre/preview/3848[uSquads[/u[/url Only 19 in Leigh's squad.

From John Davidson:

Leigh Leopards' reserves have yet to play a game this season after forfeiting all seven of their games in 2023.

Leigh have withdrawn from all their matches and had a 48-0 result awarded against them in every fixture.

The RFL has now confirmed that the Super League side will not compete in the reserves competition this year.

"We have agreed with Leigh that it would be counterproductive for them to field a Reserves team before they have the infrastructure in place - also bearing in mind the impact it would have on the community game," an RFL spokesperson told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.

"They are working on a player pathway solution, and discussions are continuing on whether they will be in a position to play Reserves matches this year - although they would almost certainly be outside the existing competition structure."

So there you go. Stop getting all uptight about it. Did he also say we were denied a reserves license? NO!

I don't get why they entered the comp in the first place then? If Leigh aren't set up to run a team. All it does is hinder the teams that do.

Leigh Reserves doing about as well as Wakefield's first team, then.

So they've basically shoved all available money and resources into the first team without investing in other essential areas off field, reserves, academy etc... so what happens if they have an injury crisis? Do the rounds with the big Lancashire clubs begging for player loans?