Leigh Leopards

Leigh Leopards signing outlines England eligibility and Lachlan Lam connection

by
Will Jackson
December 8, 2024

Leigh Leopards recruit Ethan O’Neill is eligible to represent to England and would consider it should the opportunity arise down the line. O’Neill has penned a two-year contract ahead of the 2025 season to follow in his father’s footsteps and represent Leigh.

Julian O’Neill made 12 appearances for the Leythers back in 2006 and during the time the family spent in England, Ethan represented Halton Farnworth Hornets. As such, he won’t count on the club’s quota of overseas players, with Leigh still having one spot left to fill ahead of the upcoming campaign.

However, due to his grandmother hailing from Merseyside, O’Neill would also qualify to represent England. Of course, given the 25-year-old is yet to make his first grade debut, having spent his entire career to date playing in either the New South Wales Cup or Queensland Cup, an international call up appears to be a long way off.

If the back-rower can make his mark in Super League and play a key role under Adrian Lam, though, he might just stand a chance of catching Shaun Wane’s eye.

“My grandmother is English; from Liverpool,” he said, per the Leigh Journal.

“If an opportunity arose it would be something I would think about. But one step at a time. I have got to get through pre-season first.”

During O’Neill’s time in England as a youngster, his father played alongside his now head coach Lam in the colours of Wigan Warriors.

As such, the Sydney-born forward, who has spent time on the books at South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Broncos, has known Lam for most of his life and he counts Leigh Leopards half-back Lachlan Lam as one of his oldest friends.

“I’ve known Lockie for as long as I can remember,” he added. “Adrian brought me over to Clovelly Crocs when I was 15 or 16.

“I went to high school with him; we played junior and rep footy together and Adrian has coached me. They both know what a person and player I am. So, I can’t wait to start playing with Lockie again because we had a good combination going.”