CENTURIONS will go into their opening game of the Middle 8s at home to Challenge Cup finalists Hull KR on Saturday knowing that they have the players to compete against the Super League side.

Leigh have thrown the kitchen sink at assembling the most competitive squad outside the top flight, one that Paul Rowley is confident can make an impact in the top tier.

No expense has been spared handing the head coach the best precision tools to get the job done including: Fuifui Moimoi, Gareth Hock, Micky Higham and Andrew Dixon.

There’s quality in every position not least at scrum half where former Westhoughton Lion, Ryan Brierley, continues to be the envy of Super League clubs.

Brierley, a self confessed Salford fan who left Castleford without featuring in a Super League game, will play in the top flight. It’s just a matter of time before he fulfils his goal.

The 23-year-old plundered 43 tries in 2014-the third highest total in the club’s history. He was the only ever present during a season Leigh clinched the Championship Grand Final at Headingley, finishing as Young Player of the Year for a second consecutive year.

Brierley is on his way to another 40 plus try haul this season and scored a second half hat-trick to help Leigh wrap up the League Leaders’ Shield against Dewsbury last week.

He is durable as well as dynamic and his half back partnership with unsung hero, Martin Ridyard, has been pivotal in the Centurions’ success over the past two years.

Gareth Hock's arrival divided Leigh fans when the club announced his transfer from Salford Red Devils in February.

The reticence was unsurprising given the second row’s appalling disciplinary record and off-pitch misdemeanours.

Indeed, the 31-year-old’s debut was delayed because of a six game ban incurred in his final match for Salford against St Helens on February 12.

"Anyone who spends time in our players' room will discover we have a weird and wonderful collection of players," smiled Rowley at the time. "I am sure Gareth will fit in perfectly well!"

And he has with blips along the way, including a £1,000 fine for posting inappropriate material on Twitter.

On song, Hock offers defence-splitting aggression plus more subtle off-loading skills to detonate panic in opposition ranks.

Up to this point, perhaps it’s been all too easy for the former England international. Now is his chance to really earn his money.

No player scores a hat-trick against Wigan Warriors in any form of game without possessing a special talent.

So, a pre season treble against Shaun Wane’s visitors set-up Liam Kay for another prolific campaign, including his five touchdown haul against Doncaster to end the regular campaign.

Tries have flowed regularly ever since for the 24-year-old who played five times for Middle 8 rivals Wakefield prior to crossing the Pennines for the start of the 2014 season. Kay signed off his Wildcats career with a treble against Castleford.

He enjoyed a scholarship with Leeds Rhinos and joined Bradford Bulls Academy before moving to Wakefield. He also spent time on dual registration at Doncaster against whom he bagged four touch downs earlier this term.

Kay was one of seven Leigh players voted into last season’s Championship All Stars side, a year in which he was also voted Players’ player of the year and Coaches’ player of the year with Centurions.