Only one English player named in the NRL’s top 50 players of 2022
Picture by Will Palmer/SWpix.com - 15/10/2022 - Rugby League - Rugby League World Cup - England v Samoa - St. James' Park, Newcastle, England - Tom Burgess of England celebrates with teammates Elliott Whitehead and Victor Radley after scoring the final try against Samoa
There are many top NRL stars who were born in England.
Luke Thompson, formerly of St Helens, has developed into one of the best props in the world since joining the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2020 and is being tipped to be one of the potential candidates to be named their skipper in 2023.
Meanwhile, Herbie Farnworth is one of the most sought after stars in the competition with offers north of $800,000 coming his way.
Ex-Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons man Elliot Whitehead has played in an NRL Grand Final and is one of the best backrows around.
Meanwhile Tom Burgess, who has spoken recently about a potential move to Super League and a desire to play for Leeds Rhinos, is a former NRL winner and was excellent in the Rugby League World Cup.
However, despite all of this, only one English player has been named in the Daily Telegraph’s top 50 NRL players of 2022.
It was Victor Radley who moved back five spaces from 31 in 2021 to 36 in 2022.
Radley was brilliant for England in the Rugby League World Cup with his robust style and skill making him the tournament’s best 13 as he got the chance to play in Sheffield at Bramall Lane where his family comes from.
It is a surprise though to not see others join him such as Newcastle Knights star Dom Young who scored tries for fun in the NRL in 2022 as well as in the World Cup.