Leigh Leopards star Josh Charnley committed to taking Super League record

Leigh Leopards winger Josh Charnley has revealed that he’s had his eyes on the Super League try-scoring record for the past five years with the 33-year-old intent on chasing down current holder Ryan Hall.

Hall broke the record, previously held by former Leeds Rhinos teammate and current Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire, in June when he scored a brace against Huddersfield Giants.

Charnley has since eclipsed McGuire’s tally of 247 tries, moving onto 248 late last season, but he still sits six tries shy of Hall’s running total of 254.

That’s a figure that Hall is set to add to with the 37-year-old playing once again in 2025 having signed with former club Leeds Rhinos on a one-year deal, with the option of a second year – something that would see him play for a 20th season.

For Charnley, who will turn 34 in June, it means there is a ‘battle’ between the pair to see who hangs up the boots with the record, as he revealed to The Leigh Journal.

“I have had this in my goals for the last five years,” he explained, with Charnley returning to the sport in 2018 after a brief spell in rugby union. Since that return, he has scored 101 tries in the competition.

Leigh Leopards star chasing Super League record

He also explained the competition between himself and Hall, noting: “With Hally going around again, it’s going to be a battle between me and Ryan to see who finishes top.

“We spoke last season and had a laugh about it but even now I am proud to be where I am.”

Charnley’s 248 tries have come in just 303 games compared to Hall’s 254 in 378, highlighting just how prolific the younger man has been – especially since his move to Leigh where he has scored 45 in Super League.

The winger is currently contracted until the end of the season but has explained that he would wish to go around again should he feel good.

He said: “If I finish number one and push it even more, so be it. If you are feeling good, you want to go around again. You don’t know how long your career is going to last and I have been lucky enough to play for so long.

“Hopefully, I can keep enjoying it and still have this buzz for the game. You know you will it once it has gone so I am going to keep biting down on that gum shield.”