Derek Beaumont reveals New York approach and aims to play Leeds Rhinos in South Africa for Leigh Leopards

Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel, he was asked if Leigh was interested in doing something similar and replied: “We’ve actually been approached by Perth to do some sort of link up with them.

“We have been approached by a rugby team in New York that we are talking to.

“It’s a good story that Hull KR are doing and I suppose it all has to start somewhere. I’m a bit of a realist and I think… channel your energies.”

“I liken it to this, we started doing something with AB Sundecks in France and we were spending too much time and energy on something that is far away from us, when we didn’t even capitalize on the things that are closer to us.”

It seems that for now the club will focus on staying in their current markets and expanding them.

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Leigh Leopards from around the world

Credit: Imago Images

While he says he wants to focus on the UK, he went on to outline some big ambitions for games around the world.

He continued: “If we have everything we can in this area, I would look at… well, we have players in PNG, what more can we do?

Areas we already have connections with, and when they’re completely exhausted, I probably wouldn’t look for new areas. So that’s in no way a criticism of it, you know, I think it’s fantastic to get out there.

“But I’d probably rather go to a place like PNG and play a game.

“I’d love to play Leeds Rhinos in South Africa, have the Leopards vs the Rhinos and see what appetite there is from the rugby union people over there to watch some fast-paced rugby league.”