Armstrong is set to replace the retired Matt Moylan at full-back, while Leopards boss Adrian Lam has also moved to replace the rump of his historic 2023 Challenge Cup-winning squad, with the likes of John Asiata, Tom Amone and Kai O’Donnell also departing.
Leigh new boy David Armstrong has shrugged off comparisons with Bevan French as he prepares for the daunting prospect of making his Betfred Super League debut at the home of defending champions Wigan on Thursday night.
Armstrong will be thrown in face-to-face with French, the 2023 Man of Steel and last year’s Grand Final man of the match, as the two near-neighbours kick off the new domestic campaign at the Brick Community Stadium.
The 23-year-old – foisted with high praise from Leopards owner Derek Beaumont after confirming his move last June – is part of a new-look Leigh line-up that is seeking to go one better than last year’s run to the play-off semi-finals, where they came up short against Matt Peet’s men.
“Seeing Wigan and St Helens win the World Club Challenge was a real eye-opener in terms of realising how strong a competition the Super League is, and things like the different tactics and the weather are going to make it tough.
