By Jay Freeman

Copyright bbc

When Leigh Leopards face Wakefield Trinity in the first of this year’s Super League play-off fixtures, it will cap off the immense amount of work both teams have done in the past few seasons to boost their fortunes.

For Leigh boss Adrian Lam, he is pleased that the two sides will meet, having historically not challenged for major honours until recently.

“It’s been great that they’ve made the six. I’ve congratulated Daryl [Powell]. I love it when there’s different things in Super League such as Leigh being third and Wakefield being sixth and Hull KR winning the minor Premiership. I think that’s great for rugby league and this country,” he told BBC Radio Manchester.

“They’ve done a really good job to force their way into that six spot and it’s off the back of some hard work this year.”

Much like Leigh, Wakefield have gone from strength to strength on their return to Super League.

Compare and contrast their sixth-placed finish this term with a total of 15 wins and 30 points to that of their most recent bow in the top flight in 2023 which resulted in just four wins, eight points and a bitter drop into the Championship.

They travel to Leigh knowing that they are just two games from a Grand Final – some contrast to the perilous state they were in just two years ago – and Powell sees no reason why his side cannot cause an upset on Friday and beyond.

“I see an opportunity for us to go and do something special. You never say never in sport. You look around and there’s been unbelievable things done over the years,” Powell told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I recognise it will be a tough challenge for us but I do think the experience of playing a play-off game, the feel of it, the intensity of the environment, everything that it stands for is another tick in the box of where we’re going.”