Matt Parcell expecting touch of deja vu when Leeds Rhinos face Leigh

Australian hooker Matt Purcell expects Leeds Rhinos to improve as the weeks progress.

The Australian only arrived in the UK last month from Manly, playing his first Super League game at St Helens last Thursday.

For all Saints are a familiar name throughout the world of rugby league, newly-promoted Leigh are a little less well known.

Furthermore, Parcell was aged just 12 the last time Centurions were in the top-flight, tonight being their first Super League home game since 2005.

“I have heard of Leigh, with Glenn Stewart signing there,” he said, about the former Manly, New South Wales State of Origin and Australia second-row, one of their high-profile recruits but who misses out through injury.

“I didn’t play with him back home as he left Manly before I got there, but I have watched him a lot growing up.

“He is a class player. The experience he has had over the years at Manly and the success he’s had there can only benefit Leigh.

“From what someone told me, being their first home game they will be a very tough team at home.

“I am expecting another tough encounter, much like St Helens, so we will see how we go.”

Leigh suffered a real harsh welcome back to Super League when going down 44-16 at Castleford last Friday while Leeds were edged out 6-4 in a game where defences were far more prevalent.

Parcell, 24, conceded: “It was a good, low-scoring encounter and a good introduction to Super League.

“I didn’t expect my first game to finish 6-4, but it was a good experience and I guess we’ve got a good base now we can work off.

“There’s a lot we can improve on, but I feel we will get better, especially our attack. That will really improve in a short amount of time.”

The former Brisbane Broncos player, who made one darting break at Saints, has been pleased with how he has initially adapted.

“I have settled in really well,” he said. “From last Thursday we have got a sort of base.

“A lot of the boys lacked the ball in hand, but I feel that as the weeks go on we are going to get a lot more variation and a lot more opportunities for me, hopefully.”

Captain Danny McGuire is back after missing the game at Saints with a quad injury suffered but centre Joel Moon is ruled out with concussion.

Jack Ormondroyd could make his Super League debut and Josh Walters is also vying for a call-up .

Leigh are set to give debuts to Australian forward Lachlan Burr and French international Antoni Maria.

Ex-Leeds hooker Liam Hood is also sidelined by injury and Martyn Ridyard, James Green and Dayne Weston drop out.