LEIGH Leopards boss Adrian Lam is preparing for a Grand Final style atmosphere when the rugby league community unites at Headingley on Friday to pay tribute to Rob Burrow.

An emotional occasion is in prospect for Leeds Rhinos’ first home game since their legendary half back lost his battle with motor neurone disease on June 2.

Leigh and their fans will pay their own tributes to the 41-year-old father of three on the night.

And respectful Lam knows Leeds will use the occasion to galvanise themselves to produce a performance befitting of the occasion and one of their own.

“Leeds will have every reason to want to play well for each other,” confirmed Lam. “But I think we have as well.

“It has been a difficult year and we are just starting to poke our noses through the other end.

“If you don’t capture these moments and win these games you are back in a position where you have fought hard to get out of.

“We don’t want to take too many steps back at this stage of the season. We are not out of it yet. There is a long way to go but there some great signs.

“So, we have got to make sure we go with them at the start of the game because it will be high intensity.”

Lam’s Super League career was coming to an end when Burrow had started to make his mark with Leeds.

“One of my last games for Wigan was at Headingley,” he recalled. “I remember Rob running inside of me and me taking a few steps to go and make a tackle.

“Before I knew it he was 10 metres away on the other side to score a try under the posts.

“I am stood there thinking ‘what the heck just happened there.’ He was a hard player to defend against.”

Leeds have lost three of their last four games but came from 16-0 down to stun the Leopards 22-16 on March 8.

In contrast, Leigh are unbeaten in five of their last six matches, including last Saturday’s 10-2 win to complete a seasonal double against Catalans Dragons.

Lam will make a last-minute decision on whether to hand a debut to prop Aaron Pene. But skipper John Asiata and Rob Mulhern will again miss.

Leigh owner Derek Beaumont confirmed Leopards’ players will wear specially made #7 Rob Burrow shirts in warm-up.

A 150 square-metre flag will also be crowd surfed during a minute’s silence and during minute seven to “to show our club’s respect and love of a man to whom in the end words cannot do justice.”

“I am sure Headingley Stadium will be bursting at the turnstiles with everyone wanting to attend the first game to pay respects to Rob at his home ground,” said Mr Beaumont.

“I would urge our fantastic supporters to attend in massive numbers to show our support by filling the visitors’ end of the stadium.”

*Winger Alfie Whittle scored a hat-trick as Leigh Leopards’ reserves defeated Bradford Bulls 36-28 to record a third win of the season.

Whittle, son of former Leigh favourite Dave Whittle, was joined on the scoresheet by: Valu Tane Bentley, Ben Tyrer, Tommy Porter and Liam Copland. Lewis Fairhurst kicked four goals for a side including first team squad members, Keanan Brand, Louis Brogan and Lewis Baxter.

The reserves return to action on June 29 when they play Hull FC at Hull Rugby Union club, kick-off 12 noon.

*Storm Cobain contributed 23 points as Leigh Leopards defeated Stanningley 70-6 in the Women’s Championship.