by Our Sports Desk

Leigh will be strong enough to survive in Super League next year, Leeds coach Brian McDermott said yesterday, in contrast to their fall from grace a decade ago.

The two clubs will bring down the curtain on their contrasting seasons when they meet in the final round of the Super 8s Qualifiers at Headingley tonight.

The Rhinos have experienced a spectacular fall from grace after sweeping the board in 2015 and lost to Huddersfield in the Qualifiers last Sunday, but McDermott is hoping they can seize an opportunity to end their season on a winning note.

“We’re hoping we can sign off what has been a really challenging year in style,” McDermott said.

“Leigh are a good side who have got a fair bit of momentum behind them and I don’t think they’re carrying many injuries at the moment.”

The Centurions pushed Leeds all the way on their last visit to Headingley two years ago when they conceded two late tries to go down 25-12 in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

They flopped in the Qualifiers last season but have emphatically made amends by winning all six matches so far to ensure automatic promotion to Super League and McDermott believes they already look well equipped to hold their own in the top flight, unlike in 2005 when they were relegated after winning just one game.

“It will be interesting to see how they go on,” McDermott said. “I don’t think anybody fears for them.

“With this format, you need to do something above and beyond to beat Super League teams and Leigh have done that.

“They’ve got a very aggressive recruitment strategy and they’ve been relatively injury free.

“Their coach, Neil Jukes, needs a lot of credit. They had a bit of adversity to start with, with their coach (Paul Rowley) leaving, but they’ve certainly come together and he’s managed them very well.”