Leigh Leopards host Castleford Tigers on Thursday night with the home side desperate for a win to keep their top four hopes alive.
A top two finish is still possible for Adrian Lam’s side but the competition has heated up in recent weeks and losses to Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC have seriously dented those top two ambitions.
Three points behind second-placed Wigan and just one point behind chasers Leeds and St Helens, Leigh can capitalise on what seems an easier match-up on paper when they take on Castleford Tigers, whilst Saints travel to Hull KR and Leeds travel to Hull FC.
Castleford slipped to 11th in Super League this past weekend as fellow strugglers Catalans Dragons beat them handily to mark a fourth consecutive loss for the Tigers across an aggregate score of 178-16.
The defeats to Hull KR, St Helens and Leeds were to be expected but a 38-4 loss to Catalans highlighted just how much of a job Ryan Carr will have on his hands next season.
For now, Chris Chester will see out the current season and he and Adrian Lam have selected their 21-man squads for Thursday night’s game.
Leigh Leopards team news
Last week’s game against Salford afforded Adrian Lam a chance to rest a number of players including Edwin Ipape, Umyla Hanley and Gareth O’Brien.
Joe Ofahengaue missed out due to a hamstring injury picked up in the loss against Hull FC and he’s out again with that injury expected to be at least a three-week recovery, but potentially more.
Owen Trout was one of a few players playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks. The prop was rested last time out and remains absent for Thursday night’s game. Jack Hughes made the positional switch from back row to prop, and could do the same this week with Aaron Pene also in contention for a first start since March.
Leigh Leopards 21-man squad: Darnell McIntosh, Tesi Niu, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Frankie Halton, Jack Hughes, Isaac Liu, Aaron Pene, Alec Tuitavake, Matt Davis, Brad Dwyer, Keanan Brand, Ethan O’Neill, Andrew Badrock, Ben McNamara, Bailey Hodgson, AJ Towse
Castleford Tigers team news
Chris Chester has openly admitted that a number of players featuring for his side won’t be at the club next year with the interim coach also expressing a desire to blood in some of the club’s rising talent.
This week it’s the turn of Alfie Lindsey with the young winger having impressed in Perpignan as he scored his first senior try for the Tigers.
There’s also a recall for Tex Hoy but both Jenson Windley and Andy Djeukessi drop out with Joe Stimson another of those returning to the squad.
Chester had been hopeful that Zac Cini and Jason Qareqare would return but neither man has recovered, whilst Sam Wood is also not back.
Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: Tex Hoy, Daejarn Asi, Liam Horne, George Lawler, Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman, George Griffin, Cain Robb, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha, Louis Senior, Will Tate, George Hill, Brad Singleton, Hugo Salabio, Tom Amone, Chris Atkin, Joe Stimson, Elliot Wallis, Alfie Lindsey