Most impactful bow ever? Loanee Leyland's stunning Saints show
St Helens loanee Bill Leyland talks about his stunning two-try show to seal victory over Wigan in what is likely to be his one and only Saints appearance.
Bill Leyland has only made 13 Super League appearances in his career [SWPix] Imagine being sent out on a one-week emergency loan - and the only game you stand a chance of playing in is one of the biggest of the season, against your new club's bitter rivals. Then imagine scoring your first Super League try, on debut, to put your side in front with three minutes left. Then you score another try moments later, with a driving run from the halfway line, to seal the win.
And there is a reasonable chance you will never play for that club again. That is the reality for Bill Leyland, whose sensational late double earned St Helens a sensational comeback win over Wigan Warriors in a Good Friday derby for the ages. Leyland only joined injury-hit Saints from Hull KR earlier this week and almost did not pull on the Red Vee at all, finally taking to the field when Daryl Clark was subbed off following a head knock.
But in just over 20 minutes, Leyland made his mark, as Saints overturned a 14-point deficit to beat the Cherry and Whites by 10 points after scoring four tries in the final 10 minutes. "It's a pretty special debut in one of the biggest games in rugby league. To get two tries and man of the match is a pretty special feeling," the 23-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I'm glad to go out and make an impact and bring so much joy to the fans. " Leyland helps St Helens fight back to stun Wigan Leyland joined Saints alongside KR team-mate Jordan Dezaria with Saints missing Mark Percival, Matty Lees, Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, Jacob Host, Nene Macdonald, Jake Burns and Alex Walmsley through injury. Any hopes that Saints might be able to keep hold of Leyland's services for longer than a week look unlikely.