Get ready for tomorrow’s clash between Hull FC and Leigh Centurions by reading our match preview.
Leigh are winless since returning to Super League, whilst Hull FC will be looking to stay the distance with some of the league’s front runners.
The Black & Whites back up from a 30-12 victory over Castleford Tigers, whilst Leigh almost completed a heroic comeback against top-of-the-table Catalans Dragons last Saturday.
Team News
Injuries have stacked up for Hull and quickly. Carlos Tuimavave (hamstring), Cameron Scott (shoulder) and Josh Bowden (foot) all had to leave the field last Thursday – the trio are unavailable for the trip to Leigh.
Joe Cator (calf) is just shy of a return, whilst Scott Taylor (foot) is making steps in the right direction with his recovery.
Jamie Shaul (ACL), Masi Matongo (knee) and Josh Griffin (Achilles) are also unavailable for Brett Hodgson.
The Australian coach has called upon Mitieli Vulikijapani, the Fijian who impressed during a trial period with the club in the off-season.
Leigh look set to welcome back outside back Matty Russell and forward Adam Sidlow after the pair were named in the Centurions’ 21-man squad yesterday.
Former Black & White Jordan Thompson is unavailable, along with other senior players Blake Wallace, Ben Flower and Alex Gerrard.
Hull 18-man squad: Connor, Faraimo, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Sao, Johnstone, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Brown, Swift, Wynne, Vulikijapani
Centurions 21-man squad: Brierley, Russell, Thornley, Sa’u, Tierney, Mellor, Hood, Ioane, Hellewell, Bell, Wildie, Peteru, Ellis, Gee, Mason, Sidlow, McCarthy, Mullen, Elliot, Peats, Reynolds
What’s the lowdown on the Centurions?
Brett Hodgson will be keen to make sure his players have his wits about them heading into this game, given Leigh have posted 50 points in their last two games.
Despite still sitting bottom of the table and without a win, the Centurions have put up solid fights against Wakefield, Catalans and even Wigan on two separate occasions.
Interim Coach Kurt Haggarty is in charge of a bruised side, however, perhaps more emotionally than physically, with Leigh leaking more points than any other side in the league so far this season (352).
Their heaviest defeat of the season came away to Castleford Tigers when they were beaten 52-16 by Daryl Powell’s men.
But an upturn in form indicates that a win may be just around the corner for Leigh, though Brett Hodgson will hope that doesn’t come against his injury-hit side.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Mahe Fonua – Like watching a tape of the Mahe Fonua from 2016 and 2017, Hull fans will be excited to see the Tongan international in the centres again. With Josh Griffin, Carlos Tuimavave and Cameron Scott all ruled out through injury, it is expected that Fonua will take up one of the centre spots, looking to build even further on what was an astute performance at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle against Castleford last Thursday. His two tries, one assist and 94 run metres were enough for the fans to vote him as their Jacuzzi Elite Performance Man of the Match.
Centurions: Matty Russell – Returning to the Centurions side for what could be his first game in just under a month, Hull will have to be wary against Matty Russell. The Scottish international was one of several players to arrive at Leigh Sports Village from Toronto Wolfpack in 2020, and he has scored twice since their return to Super League. FC fans with a strong memory may remember Russell’s brief loan spell with the club in 2012. The winger boasts a strong try scoring record against the Black & Whites, in particular when he scored a hat-trick against Hull whilst playing for Warrington in 2017.
Key Match Details
Where: Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, UK
When: Saturday 19 June, 3.00pm kick-off
Coverage: OuRLeague app
STORY SPONSOR
