Gareth O’Brien prepared to play starring role for Leigh against Wigan

Leigh will be shorn of star winger Josh Charnley due to injury.

Eight years since he kicked a dramatic golden point drop-goal to save Salford’s Super League status, Gareth O’Brien is preparing to play a pivotal role in Leigh’s quest for a win that would rank even higher in the sport’s list of recent improbable moments.

Nine clubs and 12 years into a career that kicked off at his home town club Warrington in 2011, O’Brien still routinely gets messages from Salford fans thanking him for his astonishing long-range kick that capped a stunning comeback and consigned Hull KR to relegation in the Million Pound Game.

“I still get messages from Salford fans about that game, and it’s nice to be remembered for such an important part of a club’s history,” O’Brien told the PA news agency. “I’ve had a great career with some great memories, and I’m looking forward to another of those occasions on Saturday.”

Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils – Betfred Super League Magic Weekend – Elland Road — Gareth O’Brien will lead Leigh on an improbable play-off mission on Saturday (Martin Rickett/PA)

But Leigh’s habit of beating the odds since O’Brien arrived for their return to the top-flight last season, culminating in a famous Challenge Cup win over Hull KR at Wembley, then a stirring run of 10 wins from 12 to confirm a play-off place, has left the Leopards feeling nothing is impossible.

“We were written off at the start of the year by most of the pundits, and we really had to dig deep to reach the top six,” added O’Brien. “So much has changed since I first arrived here and we were expected to struggle. We’ve now become a club that wants to be fighting at the top of the table.

Salford Red Devils v Leigh Leopards – Betfred Super League – Salford Community Stadium — Leigh head coach Adrian Lam saw his side surge into the play-offs (Martin Rickett/PA)

Wigan head coach Matt Peet is certainly taking nothing for granted as his side look to book a swift return to Old Trafford, where they ended St Helens’ four-year reign by beating Catalans Dragons in last year’s Grand Final.

Peet’s men cruised to the League Leaders’ Shield with a 64-0 win over a weakened Salford side in the final match of the regular season a fortnight ago and earned a weekend off whilst Leigh battled past O’Brien’s former club Salford in the first of the elimination play-offs.

Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils – Betfred Super League – The Brick Community Stadium — Wigan are looking to make it a clean sweep of trophies in 2024 (Martin Rickett/PA)

“I’m not surprised that we find ourselves in the semi-finals against Leigh. They’ve given us some of our most intense games in the last couple of seasons, and they’ve got some real star talent and a smart spine with players like John Asiata and Edwin Ipape who pull it all together.”