Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam has spoken about his team selection ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hull FC, confirming that star man Edwin Ipape has been carrying a groin injury for the past few weeks.
Ipape is the longest-contracted player in Super League with Leigh Leopards moving to tie him down until the end of 2031, a strong sign of their belief in him, however, head coach Adrian Lam has admitted that he’s not been at his best lately.
The reason for that is a minor groin issue but after a one-to-one talk, the Leopards boss is expecting a return to form for the Papua New Guinean star.
“That’s fair to say, and he has,” Lam responded when asked about the potential drop in form, and whether it was down to an injury,
He revealed: “He’s carried a slight groin strain and also a medial ligament on his knee, so the last three weeks he’s really struggled with that.
“We’ve tried to minimise his time as best we can, but he certainly hasn’t had the impact in those games that he should have had, and he’s aware of that.”
Leigh Leopards boss reveals honest chat with Edwin Ipape
Leigh fans shouldn’t worry too much though with Lam explaining that Ipape is “getting pretty close to fitness now” and that the Leopards will consider how or if they use him next week against Salford.
“I think you’ll see a different Edwin Ipape this week”, Lam tease.
“We’ve had a one-on-one as well, which is important, and a little bit of honesty there. So I’m looking forward to how he finishes the year. He’s a really influential player for us.
“He’s inspirational with his actions in his D, and he’s also been falling off a lot of tackles so we’ve got to make sure that his injury’s right, his headspace is right, and that he gives the best to the team.”
With Ipape effectively confirmed as starting, Lam also lifted the lid on other team selection issues as he explained that not a lot will change from the loss against Leeds Rhinos.
He explained: “It’s difficult to make any changes but I think Aaron Pene is going to be playing reserves this week, so that’s his first game back.
“He’ll be in the picture the week after that now, which is probably our last player that’s available to be fit for this year, if you take out Louis Brogan and Davy Armstrong, I think we’re pretty close to full fitness from next weekend.”
Robbie Mulhern fitness boost confirmed
On that healthy squad, Lam added: “That’s a good sign at this time of year, and there will be pressure on the players to hold their positions. There’s a lot of confidence still around the group, there’s still a lot of belief there. With us turning the corner into this final last part of the race, we’ve just got to make sure we’re diligent.”
Leigh sit just three points back from Wigan Warriors, who take on Hull KR on Friday night before the Leopards play on Saturday.
Lam explained that doesn’t factor into anything, insisting: “We can only control what’s in front us us. I’m going to stay tunnel vision on us.”
He also conceded that Robbie Mulhern may be used from the bench once again with the England international returning from injury last week.
“I’ve got to try and fit them all in,” Lam said of his props, adding: “That’s the issue, and it’s a great thing for us. I think Robbie Mulhern is a starting prop, so we’ll see how that unfolds in the next two or three days.
“He’s not quite 100 per cent fit yet, but very, very close so we’ll probably run with him off the bench for another week to minimise his time, but we’ll make that decision on game day.
A true team effort finished by Edwin Ipape.
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— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) August 13, 2025
