Umyla Hanley added to England World Cup training squad after rise from building site
Umyla Hanley, the Leigh centre who was working as a builder two years ago, was added to England coach Brian McDermott's 40-man training squad for the World Cup on Friday, giving the 24-year-old a pathway into the tournament in Australia in October.
Hanley’s progression has been gradual: he made his Super League debut for Wigan six years ago, appeared to break through in 2021 before being loaned to Newcastle, and spent time working on a building site until his former Wigan coach Adrian Lam called two years ago and offered him a chance at Leigh. Hanley had bought work boots and a hi-vis vest for the building job but accepted Lam’s offer; Lam moved him from wing to centre and he has remained there since.
Leigh’s record with Hanley at centre stands at 34-14 in Super League and he missed the first nine games of the current season with a shoulder injury, during which Leigh lost five times. In the club’s surprise win at Leeds earlier this month Hanley scored a try, created another and made several key defensive plays, including forcing Ryan Hall’s toe into touch when Hall had seemingly brought Leeds level in the dying moments; the try was disallowed and Leigh took the points.
Lam offered strong endorsement of Hanley’s development, saying: “He’s the ultimate competitor,” says Lam. “Umyla is immense. He’s the ultimate professional. What he is doing now he has earned through hard work. He’s number one. Of all the players I’ve coached in my life, he’s as good as anyone.” Lam also compared Hanley with Ash Handley, saying: “Ash has been one of the best in Super League – he’s absolutely brilliant,” said Lam. “But Umyla is immense. He’s the ultimate professional. What he is doing now he’s earned through hard work. England selectors need to see that.”
McDermott added Hanley to his training group alongside Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala, meaning there are seven recognised centres in the 40-man squad – plus five others who have played in the position at the highest level – and the coach is likely to select only four of them in his final 23-man squad. McDermott has said England need more cutting edge than in the Ashes to reach the World Cup final in November, and Hanley makes a case as a try-scorer: he is averaging a try every two games this year in Super League amid the poor form of Jack Welsby and AJ Brimson, the England full-backs in the Ashes.
Hanley’s background draws a link with his father Ellery Hanley, who had spells at Balmain Tigers, Western Suburbs and Sydney Roosters, played more than 500 games in a 16-year career and won 36 Tests for Great Britain; Umyla has covered four of the six positions his father played (full-back, centre, wing and one game on loan for Rochdale at standoff). The son is notably smaller than his father, a factor the article suggests could be a limitation, but Leigh coaching staff point to his finishing ability and relentless defence.
Elsewhere in the Championship, London Broncos’ 58-12 win over Halifax secured the club’s Championship Leaders’ Shield and their first trophy since lifting the second division title in 1983 after a stormy game against Cardiff; that 1983 victory at Stamford Bridge, when they were called Fulham RLFC, guaranteed a place in the top flight. The Leaders’ Shield was presented at Plough Lane on Sunday in front of a couple of hundred Broncos fans, but the club may still be denied promotion unless Super League expands to 15 clubs or their IMG grading points rank in the top 14, even if they win the Championship title in October as expected.
Jason Demetriou said most players would remain at the club provided a Super League spot for 2028 is guaranteed, adding: “It’s not one shy at the stumps and we’re done,” he says. “We’re in it for the long haul.”
McDermott will cut the 40-man group to a final 23-man squad for the World Cup in Australia, with only four centre places likely, leaving Hanley to wait to learn whether he has been chosen for the tournament squad.