YORK Wasps coach Leo Epifania reckons his team are better than they believe they are, writes Peter Martini.

The Wasps go into tomorrow's NFP clash against Leigh at Huntington Stadium on the back of their first win since last February.

And, although they will resume their underdog status after being favourites against Milford in the Challenge Cup, Epifania has given his players a boost.

"They are probably better than they think they are," he told the Evening Press.

"I don't think they are aware of what they are really capable of. I reckon they've been ope-rating at about 60 per cent."

The Aussie is under no illusion about the task ahead but he agreed confidence was upped by the long-awaited win. But he also says any rise in confidence will only truly manifest itself on the pitch.

"If they've got their confidence up we'll see that on match-day," he said.

"But morale is better for that win. Training has been good all year regardless of results, but people seem to have relea-sed the pressure a fair bit now and things are less stressful."

Epifania will field the same side as last week, barring Carl Hall, whose hamstring is playing up. Rob Lee will start, with fit-again Darren Crake coming on to the bench.

Leigh coach Paul Terzis will be without five players but has strength in depth and will travel with a 20-man squad.

York Wasps (probable): Benn, Forbes, Austerfield, R Lee, Molloy, Liddell, Yeaman, Docherty, Edwards, Hill, Barrow, Ramsden, Cain. Subs: Crake, Precious, A Lee, Hutchinson. KO 3pm.

Updated: 11:28 Saturday, February 02, 2002