Leigh Leopards sign son of former player with immediate effect

Leigh Leopards have confirmed the signing of second-rower Ethan O’Neill on a two-year contract.

The former South Sydney Rabbitohs man made 16 appearances in the NSW Cup in 2024, and now has an opportunity to make his first-ever first-grade appearances in his career.

His father Julian O’Neill scored 122 points in 12 games for the club in 2006, and also played for London Broncos, Wigan Warriors, Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Trinity in a career that saw him represent Queensland.

He scored 99 first-grade tries across career, as well as two in State of Origin.

Interestingly, he was Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam’s half-back partner when Wigan Warriors won the 2002 Challenge Cup final.

As he spent much of his time growing up in the UK, due to his father playing in Super League, it seems that he will be exempt from Super League’s quota rules.

Currently, clubs can have a maximum of seven ‘non-Federation trained players’ in their squad – and these players are defined as those that didn’t play three seasons of rugby in Europe before they turned 21.

The club do, however, have space to make one more signing of a player that does count towards this.

Leigh Leopards sign Ethan O’Neill – the reaction

Leopards Head of Rugby Chris Chester said, via a club statement: “Ethan is an edge back rower who has played a lot of Queensland Cup and NSW Cup games in the past few seasons.

“It was important to bring depth to the back row after the departure of Kai O’Donnell and I am looking forward to seeing how Ethan integrates into the squad.”

Ethan O’Neill said: “I’m real excited about coming to Leigh and joining a club that’s building something special.

“I can’t wait to meet all the staff and players and especially the fans!

“It’s a massive opportunity for me to come over and show everyone what sort of person and player I am.

“Bring on 2025!”