James Bell backing former club Leigh Centurions for promotion

St Helens utility forward James Bell has backed his former club Leigh Centurions to win promotion back to Super League for 2023.

Bell, 28, featured 18 times for the Centurions during their season in Super League in 2021. The Scotland international crossed for one try and added five assists. He was snapped up by St Helens ahead of the 2022 campaign on a two-year deal.

Prior to making the switch from Down Under, originally with Toulouse, Bell made two NRL appearances for New Zealand Warriors.

Speaking to Love Rugby League, Bell backed his former club at the Leigh Sports Village to go all the way this season and return to Super League.

James Bell backing Leigh

“I left on good terms with Leigh and I really enjoyed my time there,” Bell said. “I went and had a couple of games this year on dual-registration.

“Personally I want to see them do well and I’m pretty confident that they’re going to come up. The way that they’ve been playing footy and the players they’ve got are unreal, to be honest. 

“They’ve got some big names there. I’m not too sure who’ve they’ve managed to retain so far, but they’re probably going to turn some heads next year if they do get promoted.”

The favourites

Adrian Lam’s side are currently favourites with the bookmakers to win promotion over rivals Featherstone Rovers.

They have claimed 25 wins from 26 so far this season, having only lost to Brian McDermott’s Rovers in round two. In the final round of the regular season, they host Batley Bulldogs.

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