Leigh coach Adrian Lam on which players have impressed most so far

Leigh coach Adrian Lam struggled to pick out an individual when asked who had impressed him most so far this season, saying he’s proud of his entire squad.

The Leopards have enjoyed a good start to life back in Super League, sitting seventh in the table, level on points with sixth-placed St Helens, who occupy the sixth and final spot in the play-offs.

Leigh, who have won five from 10, host Castleford at the Leigh Sports Village on Friday night.

When asked by Love Rugby League about which players had stood out for him this season, Lam replied: “To be fair I’ve been really happy with everyone. No one has really stood out. I think the longer the season has gone on, people are starting to play their best rugby.

“Edwin Ipape is now starting to be Edwin from last year. I think (Robbie) Mulhern played his best game last weekend, Tom Amone played 70 minutes, Lachlan Lam is firing on the left edge, (Josh) Charnley is finishing well, Kai O’Donnell has been outstanding, the list goes on and on. (John) Asiata has captained well.

“I think collectively as a group, we’re playing consistently now and that’s what helped us perform last time out against Leeds, just with the game time we’ve been able to have.

“Just getting players with experience like (Ricky) Leutele, (Zak) Hardaker and (Tom) Briscoe – they’ve all been around for a long time and they are certainly giving their all.

“We can’t also forget Gaz O’Brien who has been exceptional for us at full-back. I’ve nearly named the whole team there so I think it has been a collective effort, they’ve really bought in to who we want to be as a team. I’m proud of everyone.”

Adrian Lam ‘very happy’ with Leigh’s start to the season

Lam says he is happy with his side’s start to the campaign and is satisfied with where they sit on the ladder after 10 rounds, but believes the best is yet to come.

Two of Leigh’s wins this year have come against last year’s Super League Grand Finalists in the shape of St Helens and Leeds.

He said: “I think I’m very happy with where we are in regards to sitting on the table. I feel that our best is rugby is ahead of us.

“I still think we’ve got two or three levels to go to, so having said all of that and be equal to sixth at the moment, I feel that we could’ve won two more games than what we have done, which probably would have put us in the top four.

“We’re not far off but there’s so much improvement in us.

“We’ll keep our feet grounded at the moment, we’re still working hard to being a better club and better team on and off the field.

“I think Derek Beaumont (owner) and Neil Jukes (chief executive) have certainly set the bar with the off-field entertainment and who we want to be as an event here on gameday.

“Chris Chester (head of rugby), myself and all the coaching staff are working hard on taking the team to another level with the rugby and the players are working hard to be a part of the journey this year.

“We’re 10 games in, our heads are in a really good place, we’re staying grounded and we’re working hard.”

The Leopards of Leigh take on the Tigers of Castleford in Round 11 of Super League at the LSV on Friday night, 8pm kick-off.

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