Kevin Brown delivers reason Leigh Leopards can cause huge Super League upset

Ex-Wigan, Huddersfield, Salford and England stand-off, 40, gives his verdict on semi-final showdown with Wigan and Hull KR's clash with Warrington

Kevin Brown reckons Leigh have all the tools to cause a huge Super League shock at Wigan - but doing it is easier said than done.

The battle for Old Trafford kicks-off with Hull KR hosting Warrington in Friday's semi-final before champions Warriors entertain red-hot Leigh on Saturday. Although Matt Peet’s League leaders Wigan side are big favourites to retain the title they won last year, ex-England stand-off Brown insists it’s not a foregone conclusion. Leigh finished fifth but have won 11 of their last 13 games, including dumping Salford out of the play-offs on Friday, so are full of confidence.

Brown, who started out his career at hometown Wigan, said: “If Wigan play at their very best it’s a bridge too far for Leigh; if both teams leave everything on the field, it’s Wigan’s game. They just have that much quality, are fit and playing well so if Wigan turn up and are at their best they do it.

“But how often do we see that? You don’t always get their absolute best. If Wigan are slightly off then Leigh are more than capable of beating them, if they start well and get under their skin. They have enough in attack with Edwin Ipape, Lachlan Lam, Matt Moylan, Tom Amone and Ricky Leutele and defensively they are very good. It’s going to be a close game.

“I was blown away by that Leigh v Salford play-off and especially how good Ipape was. They are battle-hardened in terms of doing this now for 12 weeks: the jeopardy, the play-offs, the intensity and having that threat of if you lose the season could be over. So, I do think they are a real danger for Wigan.”

Brown expects Friday’s battle to be similarly close. He played in the 2018 Grand Final for Warrington when they lost out against Wigan and they are still waiting for a first league title since 1955. But they face Rovers side who finished second only to Wigan and are bidding to reach their maiden Grand Final.

Brown, a respected BBC and Sky Sports pundit, knows all about the big occasion having played for England in the 2017 World Cup final against Australia. He said: “Hull KR are favourites just because they’re at home. But it’s a massive loss for them not having the suspended Elliot Minchella. He’s been unbelievable all year, is their captain and has rightly been recognised with an international cap and Dream Team selection this season.

“All their other key players are there and fit but I’ve been really impressed with how Warrington are playing under Sam [Burgess], especially defensively.

“Warrington go full of confidence having beaten St Helens and expect to go and win. But Hull KR boss Willie Peters will be thinking exactly the same. It will be another really, really close game.

“And I know from experience just how difficult it is travelling over to Hull KR and then playing in front of those passionate fans. It’ll be another sell-out and another great occasion for Super League neutrals. I think KR will edge it.”