Leigh RL changing their name from Centurions to Leopards

Leigh are hoping a change of name will help bring about a change of fortune when they re-enter Super League in 2023.

The Centurions beat Batley in the Championship Grand Final earlier this month to earn promotion for the fourth time in the Super League era.

They were immediately relegated in 2005, 2017 and 2021 but are confident they can buck the trend and will hope to do so in a new guise after changing their name from Centurions to Leopards.

Owner Derek Beaumont told a press conference at Leigh Sports Village that the arrival of global media giants IMG to help re-imagine the game presented an opportunity to rebrand the club.

"It's not a whim," Beaumont said. "It was the result of quite a lot of research over a period of time.

"It's a re-branding of our club that creates a lot more opportunities from a commercial and retail aspect."

Leigh also unveiled a raft of new signings to back up their bid to establish themselves in Super League, headed by England full-back Zak Hardaker from Leeds and centre Ricky Leutele from Huddersfield.

Hardaker, who was not offered a new contract by the Rhinos, said his move to the Leopards was influenced by the presence of his former Wigan boss Adrian Lam.

"Me and Lammy have had a good connection since my Wigan days," he said. "It was a number of factors why it's going to be an exciting year.

"I turned up today and didn't realise Ricky had signed, it's just amazing.

"I want to be top six, top four, we want to reach for the top, I wouldn't come here if I didn't think that possible."

Leutele, who was in demand when his contract with the Giants expired, said: "They sold me their ambitions for the next few years and I decided I want to be part of something special they're building here."

The club have also recruited forwards Matt Davis, Rob Mulhern, Oliver Holmes, Jacob Gannon and Jack Hughes from Warrington, Castleford half-back Gareth O'Brien and winger Tom Briscoe from Leeds.

Leigh general manager Neil Dukes told the conference that, of the 27 members of Lam's squad, 23 have signed minimum two-year contracts.

Beaumont said he was confident of attracting crowds in excess of 7,000 in 2023 and pledged to liven up the game-day experience with the aid of fireworks and confetti cannons.

"We're not going into Super League to make up the numbers," he said.