FORMER York Knights winger AJ Towse has been hailed by head coach Adrian Lam after an "outstanding" Super League debut.
He made his first appearance for Leigh Leopards, whom he joined from York over the off-season, as they eased to a 34-6 win against Catalans Dragons.
Towse, who came through the youth set-up at Heworth before making his Knights debut in 2021, was a late call-up to the squad in place of the ill David Armstrong – so much so that his parents were left scrambling to find a way to watch the game whilst on holiday in France.
The 21-year-old scored a total of 35 tries in 67 matches for York, including 20 in 34 appearances in 2023, and earned two Championship Player of the Year nominations before penning a three-year deal with Leigh ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Recommended reading:
He though took his maiden top-flight appearance in his stride and was unfazed by facing the hugely experienced Tommy Makinson, with head coach Adrian Lam delighted by the rising talent’s performance.
Lam told Leopards TV: “Unbelievable, I thought they were outstanding.
“We gave AJ Towse his debut today, it was his first game at the club as a Super League player and I’m just really pleased for him.
“I rang him this morning, David Armstrong woke up this morning and was ill, so we made a call on that and to have him come in and do what he did tonight was outstanding.”
Umyla Hanley’s hat-trick ultimately stole the headlines for the Leopards, who maintained their perfect start to the new season in style.
But Towse had his own part to play as his outstanding kick return midway through the first half paved the way for second-rower Jack Hughes to score.
Keanan Brand and Ethan O’Neill also both crossed the whitewash for Leigh, with only Alrix Da Costa spoiling a near-perfect defensive display.
