PAUL Rowley answers with all the diplomacy of a politician when asked about Leigh’s trip to Bradford on Sunday.

“I don’t want to see any big headlines... I’m going to be reading this article with interest,” says the Centurions coach during our interview, only half-joking.

This weekend’s rematch following the stormy opening-day encounter at the Leigh Sports Village could have been a winner-takes-all clash to decide top spot.

Posters have gone up across Bradford in recent weeks advertising it as ‘The Battle for the Championship’.

In all reality, it is effectively a dead rubber as it would take a minor miracle to overhaul Leigh at the summit.

“You will not get me saying we have got top spot,” adds Rowley.

“No, top, second or third spot will always come as a by-product of how consistent you are through the year.

“That is why we take every game as it comes and this week it’s Bradford. That’s as far as it goes.”

The Bulls will stage an on-pitch party after Sunday’s game but it will be Leigh celebrating if they emerge victorious.

Rowley insists: “It would mean no more claiming top spot at Bradford than it would at any other club.

“We have no special feeling towards any particular club and we’re concerned with ourselves and no-one else.”

For all Rowley’s tact, there is no denying the rivalry which has built between his club and the Bulls since that round-one clash.

Leigh’s head of rugby Derek Beaumont was fined £2,000 for his behaviour that day and the Bulls were also warned about their future conduct.

There is no love lost and Beaumont was recently barred from accompanying Rowley to the Bulls’ home clash with Featherstone.

Against all that, Rowley is a big admirer of Bradford as a club.

“I love coming to Odsal, it’s absolutely brilliant,” says the former hooker, a proud Leyther who started and finished his career at his home-town club either side of spells at Halifax and Huddersfield.

“It’s a good ground with great fans and I really enjoyed being there for the Featherstone game.

“I was soaking up the atmosphere and perhaps reminiscing a bit about my playing days with Halifax when there was a big rivalry with Bradford.

“You know you’re at a big club when you come to Odsal.”

Rowley is also refusing to read too much into the Bulls’ recent form, which has seen them lose twice in three games without Lee Gaskell.

“I wouldn’t say the Bulls are struggling for form because their wins to losses ratio and points difference is very impressive,” says Rowley.

“Their playing roster is ultra-impressive so there are no struggles regarding Bradford.

“Any team would miss the quality of Lee Gaskell because he is one of the best players, if not the best, in the Championship.

“Adam O’Brien is another brilliant player, so is Danny Addy, but I could go through the whole team.

“We will give them the utmost respect against a club who see themselves as a Super League outfit and business off the field.

“Less than 12 months ago Bradford were rubbing shoulders with the game’s elite.”

Rowley has performed a highly impressive job since taking over at Leigh in 2011, when he inherited only eight players and no backroom staff.

Financial problems in 2013 saw him turn to Beaumont to pay the wages and the local businessmen got involved in the club again.

Between them, they have breathed life into a dying club.

But the renaissance will not be complete until Leigh have returned to Super League.

Yet Rowley is adamant: “Our goal this season was a top-four finish and we’ve achieved that.

“It’s all about winning more money, if you like, which puts us in a better business position to strengthen and keep progressing towards Super League.

“It’s never do-or-die for us this season, it’s a very calculated approach.

“Super League is on everyone’s radar and we’re no different.

“We will continue to strive to get there, no matter how long it takes.”

Rowley, who says he will “pick a side necessary to achieve our goals” this weekend, is proud of what he achieved so far.

“I think my dreams have already been realised in playing for Leigh and now coaching the club,” says the 40-year-old.

“Seeing the positive influence the players have had on the community makes me proud.

“Derek and I have always said we just wanted to make the people of Leigh proud of their heritage, the town and the rugby team.

“Up to now, that’s happening so we are pleased with where we’re at.”

Leigh’s exhilarating brand of rugby was underlined when they dumped Salford and Wakefield out of the Challenge Cup before running Warrington close in the quarter-finals.

“Momentum in sport obviously breeds confidence,” says Rowley.

“While we recognise there are some guys here who may be perceived as star players, no-one is treated any differently.

“We’re a pretty honest club and the players work hard. Off the field we have a growing business being run by intelligent and honest people. Everybody enjoys themselves here.”