Leigh hoping for electric start against Wire

Leigh coach Neil Jukes is hoping the electric home crowd can inspire a fast start in their televised Super League encounter against Warrington.

Former Centurion Chris Hill returns to his old stomping ground in what will be his first appearance of the season for the struggling Wolves, who have lost all four of their league games so far.

The home side, meanwhile, have enjoyed an encouraging start to their second spell in Super League, and nilled Huddersfield last time out.

Jukes said: “It was brilliant last week. I was stood there at the full time whistle and the north stand was absolutely electric. It was like there was 40,000 in there and that’s what’s good about this place (Leigh Sports Village).

“If we get it even half full with our own fans, it’s electric, and they’ve got us over the line on a few occasions.

“They’ve helped with our starts. Last year against Huddersfield we were 40-4 up at half time or whatever it was, and I always remember every time we scored Huddersfield were behind the sticks and the fans were on top of them and they were thinking ‘what’s going on here’.

“The fans are brilliant. They were good last year too. We had more than 10,000 at the end of the season and there was a bit of a community feel about it, people dipping their toes in.

“But certainly against St Helens recently there were 9,000 core fans and when everyone’s that passionate about what we’ve achieved, supporting our journey, it’s an incredible place.”