Now Super League has past its climax in the focus is on England after excellent seasons for Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards.
The Leopards are in their first season of their rebrand after having being promoted as Leigh Centurions from the Championship, losing just one game in the league during the 2022 season, and they’ve taken Super League by storm.
Not only did they survive but they made the playoffs during a season in which they’ve already lifted the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1971, with a new breed of heroes being created under the charge of Adrian Lam.
But despite this, only Rob Mulhern could represent England.
Head Coach Lam spoke with the media earlier this season about some of the stars in his side and in particular whether he could foresee any of them earning international honours during the off-season, such is the quality of his squad, and Lam in turn responded with an impassioned plea to national team selectors.
On winger Josh Charnley, who currently leads the Super League try scoring charts with 25 in 23 appearances, Lam told the Leopards’ Youtube Channel: “I think Josh’s actions have done the talking for him really.
“He’s probably gonna win highest try score of the year on that left wing, and I don’t know what more you have to do to get in that 40 man squad. Whether Wane thinks he’s too old or is past it, that’s his decision as the national coach, but I think Josh has done enough to be in that squad and in that team.
“I’ll leave that to their selection process to finalise that, but I think he certainly deserves it. He’s improved out of sight in this year, he’s been one of the best finishers in Super League.”
Shaun Wane did formerly coach Charnley at Wigan and he will lead England into a three Test series against Tonga, for whom Lam believes one of his star props should be getting a call-up.
“On the flip side of that, I think Tom Amone, who also qualifies for Tonga, I think he should be in consideration for the Tongan squad too,” Lam explained.
“I think it’s important that we acknowledge what he’s done for us as a club. It would be nice to see him included in the Tongan squad that plays in the tour here at the end of the year so, fingers crossed, by the end of the season, both of those are in.
“We’re running out of time but I think both certainly deserve it and should be part of it.”
