GREG Richards says Leigh’s red-hot form has put the rest of the Betfred Championship on notice of what’s to come from the pre-season competition favourites.

Centurions look to extend their unbeaten league and cup run to eight games against Barrow Raiders at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

And Cumbrian born Richards a former Barrow Island amateur, says Leigh have a score to settle with the Craven Park outfit.

“That game was probably our low point of the season and one defeat we took personally,” he said of the 24-20 loss back in February.

“We have a point to prove. But we are a totally different side to the one from the early part of the season.

“In every part of the game we have improved a heck of a lot and I think we can run up a decent score on Sunday.”

Leigh’s latest win was a 40-0, fifth round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup whitewash of London Broncos.

“I don’t think we will have a problem making the top four,” added the former St Helens forward.

“It may have been touch and go at the start of the season with all those losses. But the way we are going we won’t be far off

“We have set our stall out now and it sends a message to the rest of the competition to show we are in race for top four.”

Despite his upbringing Urswick raised Richards, still only 22, never represented his home town club.

“I went to Saints at a young age but I know a couple of lads at Barrow who I used to play amateur with. And I know the head coach (Paul Crary).

“It’s the first time I have ever played against Barrow so I am looking forward to it.”

Leigh’s defeat at Barrow was the first of four in a row; a run that saw the end of Neil Jukes’ coaching reign and included two successive defeats for caretaker boss Kieron Purtill.

“It has taken time for the team to click together,” agreed Richards.

“Everyone is happy because everything is going well. But even when we were struggling we all tried to stay positive.

“We knew things would click into place if we worked hard.

“One of the main things we are working towards is keeping our defensive structure. The score lines are showing that because we have had a few nils now.

“They are always a bonus and when we don’t get nil we get annoyed with ourselves.”

Barrow’s shock win over Leigh is one of their only two in the Championship this year and last weekend they lost after a close battle to Toronto Wolfpack in the Challenge Cup.