Leigh boss Adrian Lam says Jack Darbyshire\u2019s loan to Salford Red Devils will be beneficial for all parties, despite it meaning he will line up against the Leopards on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Darbyshire<\/a>, who will turn 22 in November, joined Leigh ahead of the 2024 campaign from fellow Super League outfit Warrington Wolves.<\/p>\n Having come through Wire\u2019s academy, he never registered a senior appearance in their colours and hasn\u2019t managed to do so for Lam\u2019s side yet as we near the end of his second season at the Leopards\u2019 Den.<\/p>\n He has instead gained experience out on loan with League 1<\/a> outfit Rochdale Hornets, donning their shirt 16 times to date across the last two campaigns and scoring three tries.<\/p>\n Come Friday night, he will make his Super League<\/a> debut: but for Salford against Leigh, rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n Leigh Leopards coach explains off-contract youngster\u2019s Salford loan ahead of clash<\/p>\n The Leopards<\/a> have lent centre Darbyshire, who is off-contract, out to the financially-stricken Red Devils on an initial one-week loan.<\/p>\n Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Leigh head coach Lam<\/a> said: \u201cHe\u2019s off-contract at the end of the year, but he\u2019s an important part of our squad.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one part for Jack to get a debut and to get that experience of playing in Super League.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother factor is to help out Salford and make sure they get their squad sorted.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd for our club, for another player to get a Super League debut is enormous. It\u2019s positive all round.\u201d<\/p>\n Darbyshire remains on a season-long loan at Rochdale, but has temporarily linked up with Salford as the RFL have relaxed rulings around loanees to ensure the Red Devils<\/a> are able to fulfil their remaining five Super League fixtures.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old had been set to feature for Paul Rowley\u2019s side in last weekend\u2019s game against Wakefield Trinity, but that was cancelled due to player welfare concerns amid their ongoing financial crisis.<\/p>\n Lam explained: \u201cJack needs to go out there and play. He\u2019s been playing for Rochdale and doing a pretty good job, but it\u2019s a higher competition in Super League and it gives him his debut.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he is in that (Salford) 17 for tomorrow and that happens, it\u2019s another player that makes a debut in Super League for our club.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great for Jack. He worked hard in pre-season, but he hasn\u2019t had an opportunity here like he\u2019s got there.<\/p>\n \u201cHe would have played (for Salford against Wakefield) last week, but the game got cancelled.<\/p>\n \u201cNow he\u2019s in a position to play and get that experience, so it\u2019ll be good for him and the club.\u201d<\/p>\n FRIDAY\u2019S READS ON LRL<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Super League coaching trio in line for shock Australia appointment for Ashes<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Castleford Tigers unveil new head coach as long-term contract confirmed<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Leigh Leopards coach shares concerning Joe Ofahengaue prognosis amid widescale injury update<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 St Helens coach drops major hint on full-back dilemma as challenge made to Tristan Sailor<\/a><\/p>\n