Adrian Lam is expecting a tough battle between two desperate sides.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 06/03/2025 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 4 – Hull FC v Leigh Leopards – MKM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull, England – John Asiata.
There were only two teams that the Leigh Leopards failed to beat last year: Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC.
And after defeating the Rhinos in the opening round of Super League, head coach Adrian Lam is hoping the Leythers’ only win so far this year is a good omen for victory over the Black and Whites this weekend.
The two sides go up against each other in the Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon, with Hull having the measure of Leigh last year with two victories and a draw. But that counts for nothing now, not that Lam is expecting anything less than a tough battle for his Leopards side – and in particular from Hull’s ex-Leyther trio.
“It was only Hull FC and Leeds last year that we didn’t beat,” Lam, speaking in his pre-match press conference, said. “We’ve beaten Leeds in round one so hopefully that’s a good omen for us.
“Hull are going to come here with a lot of confidence with the way they played against us last year. We’ve got a few injuries for this one, but they’ve also got a few of their own.
“They’ll come here with a few of our ex players and they’ll certainly be pumping them up to play well. Zak Hardaker and Tom Briscoe will be on that right edge, we think, and then John Asiata playing through the middle – there are a few players there coming back here with a lot of confidence.
“They will be desperate to win as well and they’ve got their own pride through Challenge Cup games. It’s going to be a massive game.”
Both sides come into the clash after tough starts to the Super League season, each losing three of their opening four games. And while the cup offers a chance for some respite, Lam knows only an improved performance will do, with confidence taking a hit over the last month.
“We’ve had a really tough draw, and it’s been a run of games which can knock your confidence,” Lam continued. “That’s sport and rugby league, but we’ve been in this situation a few times during my time here. We’ve experienced injuries and we’ve had losses off the back of them but we’ve responded really well.
“We’re working hard as a group to play better rugby, have better discipline, be more physical defensively and show the DNA we’re known for in attack. We just can’t maintain those issues and those areas that are letting us down.
“It is tough when you do a whole off-season; you haven’t played for a few months and then you don’t quite get it right, and especially when, all of a sudden, you’ve got 10/11 players out injured. It’s a really difficult part of coaching but it all gives other players an opportunity.
“The one thing we need to do as a group here at Leigh is stick together during the tough times. We’ve done that the past four or five years. We’ve also had the ability to rally after a couple of losses and put a run of wins together. We don’t stress too much about it. We’ve made a pact to stick together through this. We’ll be alright.”