Leigh winger Josh Charnley backed for England recall

Adrian Lam believes winger Josh Charnley deserves another call-up to the international stage following his stellar start to the Super League season.

Charnley, 31, has scored eight tries in seven appearances in 2023 for the Leopards, including their first try back in Super League in the opening round against Salford.

He is the third highest try-scorer in the top division’s history behind Ryan Hall and Danny McGuire, and is up for Super League Player of the Month for March.

The former Wigan and Warrington winger last represented England back in 2014, with a total of nine tries in eight appearances on the international stage. And head coach Lam believes his start to the season could see him called up again by boss Shaun Wane, with the side set to face France later in April at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

 “The way that he’s playing at the moment is as good as any,” Lam told Love Rugby League. 

“I think he’s in the top three stats for a winger, or for any player, with metres, gains, carries, post-metres and tries. 

“He is up there with all of the top two or three stats in the game at the moment, which would represent that he probably deserves an opportunity to get back in that position (England). 

“He’s got to keep maintaining that. He’s certainly started the season on the right foot and he can only get better as well.”

‘Josh Charnley has been outstanding for us’

Charnley made the mid-season switch to the Leigh Sports Village in 2022 from Warrington, admitting that he almost came close to hanging up the boots.

The Leopards currently sit ninth on the Super League table, having won promotion in 2022, with three wins from seven, while Charnley was granted a 12-month testimonial by the Rugby Football League earlier this year.

“Josh has been outstanding for us,” Lam continued.

“He came to us half way through last year and was not in a really good place with rugby league and in his life.

“But we’ve found that love back for him and the way that he’s trained throughout pre-season, I would question the best in all of Super League. 

“I know what he’s done for us and he’s left no stone unturned in his preparations to Super League for this year.

“I think he’s been outstanding.”

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