LEIGH take their unbeaten league and cup start to Heywood Road on Sunday with centre Iain Thornley expecting a tough test against Stuart Littler’s Swinton Lions.

Centurions top the Betfred Championship with three wins from three and a bonus fifth round Coral Challenge Cup trip to Hull KR next month.

Thornley scored twice in last weekend’s 36-10 cup success over Batley- a fourth successive game John Duffy’s side has conceded 10 points or fewer.

“It was a fiery game last year and will probably be another this time,” he said of the corresponding fixture when Swinton’s Oliver Partington ­— now back at Wigan ­— and Luke Adamson were sin binned in the first minute.

“But we all know each other and have played each other before.

“It will definitely be a good game but they are points we definitely need and we will be doing our best to get them.”

Leigh have conceded only 20 points in their opening three Championship outings but racked up 128 in reply.

“We need to keep that going because points difference can play a big part,” added Thornley. “It did last year.”

Craig Mullen made his debut against Batley at full-back following his season long loan from Wigan.

He has had two loan spells at Swinton and said: “Hopefully, I have given Duffs a headache and hopefully I am in. I will enjoy getting back to Swinton and seeing some familiar places. They normally put on some good rugby on show too.”

Leigh lost 14-10 against Super League Rovers in last season’s competition.

This year’s tie, to be played on the weekend of March 12-15, will feature of many familiar match-ups.

Danny Addy and Ryan Shaw played for the Robins last season while centre Iain Thornley spent 2016 with Tony Smith’s side. With boots in the opposite camp are Ryan Brierley, Ben Crooks, Will Dagger, Nick Rawsthorne and Jamie Ellis.

Said Duffy of his team’s win over Batley: “On the whole there were too many errors and we didn’t hit our standards in a few patches.

“We have got to learn from it – we’ll probably have a few games like this during the season – but we are in the next round.”

Winger Ryan Ince, yet to make a competitive debut for the club, has joined Championship rivals Oldham on a month’s loan.

The 23-year-old notched 19 tries in 22 games for Widnes last season and featured in Centurions’ pre-season warm-up games against Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors.

*The club has confirmed Leigh College have agreed to become training kit sponsor for the season.

Coach Duffy says: “Gregg McNally is now coaching the College team and will be heavily involved in the link between Tommy Sale Youth and the transition to College.

“Gregg is a fantastic role model and somebody the local players can tap into to become a future Leigh Centurions player.”