GREGG McNally is relishing his second coming as a Leigh player and reckons John Duffy’s side is ready to prove the doubters wrong.

Toulouse Olympique provide the opening Betfred Championship test for Centurions at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

“I think everyone expects us to be in a relegation battle,” said McNally following Leigh’s 20-0 friendly defeat to London Broncos last week.

“But for us that’s not the case.

“We want to be as good as we can and try to improve each week.

“If we get in the play-offs, then we can have a good crack at it.

“‘We have some older heads in the team and reluctantly I count myself in that group now,” laughed McNally who celebrated his 28th birthday on January 2.

McNally is also enthused by Centurions’ dual registration link-up with last season’s League Leaders’ Shield winners, St Helens.

Joe Batchelor, Matty Costello and Josh Eaves featured against Broncos while Aussie prop Luke Douglas could make his debut against the French outfit after signing on a month’s loan.

“Saints have got a really good squad his year,” agreed McNally.

“There are some useful players unlucky to miss out because they have got quality in depth.

“The lads who come to us will want to play well to impress Justin Holbrook and get back in the Saints team. That can help us going forward.”

On the challenge posed by Toulouse McNally added: “They are unpredictable.

“Everything goes through Johnathan Ford.

“He will throw the ball in his own 10 and try to hit a winger.

“You have got to be on your toes against them and keep moving.

“It will be a big test because they are a good side and were probably a bit unlucky in the middle 8’s last season.

“Hopefully though we can give them a surprise.”

McNally returned to Leigh earlier this month after being given compassionate release at Bradford with wife, Rosey suffering from a crippling bone condition, avascular necrosis.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Bradford,” he explained. “Andrew Chalmers, Stuart Duffy and John Kear were all brilliant with me and understood the situation.

“However, as much as my missus needs me to look after her and wants me there, mentally, I couldn’t sit at

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home and do nothing after 10 or 11 years playing rugby.

She understands that.

“As long as she is happy, I am happy. And vice versa Things are looking positive with her at the moment so hopefully we are looking forward to good year.

“The situation isn’t what we want it to be but we are both pretty happy at the moment.”

McNally is certainly glad to be back even if a first half error led to London setting up victory with a James Cunningham try.

“I got a bit emotional when I ran out for the first half,” he said. “The fans in the North Stand gave me a great reception during the warm up and everything is positive with the club at the moment.

“Performance wise we still have things to work on but we are positive the club is on the way up.”