Leigh profit from registration scheme

(GETTY IMAGES)

Ian Millward has greatly strengthened his Leigh team with the most ambitious use yet of the League's new system of dual registration. The former St Helens and Wigan coach has signed up three members of Warrington's Super League squad – Matty Blythe, Lee Mitchell and Tyrone McCarthy – plus Saints' Jake Emmitt.

All three experienced plenty of first-team rugby last season, with McCarthy figuring in the side that won the Challenge Cup at Wembley. Under the scheme, Warrington can decide on a week-by-week basis whether they need them for Super League or can release them to play in the Co-operative Championship with Leigh.

"The four players are going to be training with us and their clubs," said Millward. "They could be vital to us."

The first time he could have them available is for the Northern Rail Cup match against Featherstone on Sunday. Widnes, Whitehaven and Featherstone are among the Championship clubs that have access to players on the same basis.

Leeds will be without the versatile Carl Ablett for eight to 10 weeks after he injured his ankle, but they have had better news about their new Australian centre Brett Delaney. His knee damage is not as bad as first feared and he could be back in training in two weeks.