The Qualifiers Preview: Featherstone v Leigh

Leigh owner Derek Beaumont says Featherstone are the biggest threat in The Qualifiers ahead of the two sides meeting this weekend.

The Centurions travel to the LD Nutrition Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3.15pm) as they look to preserve the Super League status they earned by successfully navigating this competition last season.

Featherstone’s new coach is former Leigh hooker John Duffy, and he hands a debut to on-loan Wigan forward Connor Farrell.

Another forward, John Davies, is back following injury with Jason Walton and Kyran Johnson missing out.

Beaumont said: “I am really looking forward to the game, it promises to be a cracker and I for one am delighted Featherstone made the Qualifiers for a second year running.

“Featherstone are without a doubt the biggest threat in the Qualifiers, from a Championship point of view. They are very dangerous.

“It is going to be tough for any Championship team to make the automatic promotion places, in my opinion, but Featherstone have got a real chance of getting to the Million Pound Game this year.”

Squads:

Featherstone: Bostock, Thackeray, Tagg, Farrell, Igbinedion, Griffin, Mariano, Hardman, Lockwood, Davies, Hardcastle, Carlile, Briggs, Briscoe, Wildie, Taulapapa, Moore, Brooks, Turner.

Leigh: Maria, Vea, Reynolds, Paterson, Mortimer, Tickle, Stewart, Richards, McNally, Hansen, Drinkwater, Burr, Hood, Fleming, Dawson, Higham, Brown, Langi, Hopkins.

Prediction:

If Featherstone are going to get to the Million Pound Game, this one is a must win. Leigh by 8.