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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Aaron Bower

Briscoe and Hardaker roll back the years for Leigh’s trip to Wembley

Tom Briscoe (left) and Zak Hardaker (right) tackle
Tom Briscoe (left) and Zak Hardaker (right) have found a new lease of life after their move to Leigh Leopards. Photograph: Richard Walker/ProSports/Shutterstock

It is safe to assume everyone associated with Leigh Leopards will be pinching themselves on Saturday. Not even a Super League club last season, the Lancashire town with a population barely exceeding 40,000 will be front and centre of the rugby league world as the Leopards walk out at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final for the first time since 1971.

It is a remarkable story and one two of their players could have never envisaged. Zak Hardaker and Tom Briscoe won every trophy on offer in the domestic game with Leeds Rhinos, but were released by the Super League heavyweights at the end of last season.

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