LEIGH Centurions' wholesale revamp of the senior squad is now complete.

The double swoop for back rowers David Larder and Andy Isherwood will be Leigh's last signings for the foreseeable future.

Head coach Darren Abram is now happy with his first team complement and will now spend the next few weeks preparing the squad for the launch of the Arriva Trains competition in February.

Abram sees the capture of Larder from Rochdale and Isherwood from Widnes as 'significant' signings.

"I think the signing of David and Andy, plus the likes of Heath Cruckshank, Ian Knott and Dan Potter, shows how serious we are in our intentions of having another crack at getting into Super League," he said.

Out of the blue

While Leigh had been tracking Larder for sometime, the swoop for Isherwood came out of the blue.

Isherwood made a big impact in Leigh colours in 2002 before being lured to Widnes for Super League in 2003. But while in South Africa on the Vikings pre-season training camp last January, Isherwood suffered a serious back injury which, for a time, threatened his career.

Now, 11 months later, the 23-year-old has been given a clean bill of health and is keen to pick up the threads of his career.

Isherwood said: "I am looking forward to playing for Leigh again. It was a tough decision to leave last year but I am very happy to back at Hilton Park. The future of the club looks great and we have a very young but experienced squad."

Abram is an Isherwood admirer. "Andy is an explosive player and I'm sure he will soon get back into the swing of things and will be a very important member of our squad."

The Hilton Park coach is also delighted to have Larder on board.

Larder, who was also being tracked by Hull, Halifax and Oldham, has agreed a 12-month deal. He is the son of Phil Larder, the England RU assistant coach, who is credited with helping Clive Woodward to win the World Cup.

Abram adds: "Dave has been getting some excellent reviews over the last 12 months. His style of play will complement the forwards. Dave can read the game well and I am sure he will progress his rugby career with Leigh.

Larder said: "I am pleased to come to Leigh, they are a great club. I have spoken to Darren about his plans for the club and after listening to him there was only one club I wanted to play for and that is Leigh. I know that other clubs were showing an interest in me but I feel that Leigh are one of the favourites if not the favourite to win the Grand Final in 2004 so why go else where when Darren has put a solid team together here."