Leigh Leopards centre Umyla Hanley has been called into England's training squad for the upcoming World Cup, capping a remarkable two-year journey from working as a builder to the brink of international rugby league. New England coach Brian McDermott added the 24-year-old to a 40-man group on Friday as preparations intensify for the tournament in Australia this October.
Hanley's selection comes as England sit top of their World Cup qualifying group with seven points from three games. They lead Croatia by a single point and are on a two-game winning run, their last result a 4-6 victory over France in July. Jude Bellingham is the team's top scorer this season with seven goals in eight appearances.
Umyla Hanley is the son of rugby league legend Ellery Hanley, a Hall of Famer who played more than 500 games in a 16-year career and 36 Tests for Great Britain. The younger Hanley made his Super League debut for Wigan six years ago and had a loan spell at Newcastle after a breakthrough 2021 season. Two years ago, former Wigan boss Adrian Lam offered him a chance at Leigh Leopards and switched his position from wing to centre, a move that has transformed his career.
He is smaller than his famous father but has already played four of the six positions his dad did: full-back, centre, wing, and one game on loan for Rochdale at standoff. His form this season has been strong, averaging a try every two games in Super League.
Hanley's call-up follows a standout performance in a win at Leeds Rhinos' Headingley stadium earlier this month. In that game, he scored a try, created another, and made several vital defensive efforts. His most important contribution came in the dying moments when he forced Ryan Hall's toe into touch to disallow a try, securing the victory for Leigh.
His importance to Leigh is clear from the stats. Since Lam moved him to centre, Leigh's Super League win-loss record with Hanley in that role is 34-14. He missed the first nine games of this season with a shoulder injury, and Leigh lost five of those nine matches. Adrian Lam has been effusive in his praise. "He’s the ultimate competitor. Umyla is immense. He’s the ultimate professional," Lam said.
The path to the final 23-man World Cup squad is steep. McDermott's 40-man training group includes seven specialist centres, plus five other players who have played the position at the highest level. The coach is likely to select only four centres for the tournament. Hanley will be competing with the likes of Herbie Farnworth, who is based in the NRL, and others for a spot.
There is consideration within the England setup about playing Farnworth at full-back to get him more involved in attack, which could open a slot in the centres. Current full-back options Jack Welsby and AJ Brimson were in poor form during the recent Ashes series. England will need more cutting edge than they showed in that series if they are to reach the World Cup final in November.
Hanley's inclusion adds depth and a compelling story of resilience to the England camp as they build towards their next fixture, a home match against Spain on September 26th. His defensive grit and improving attacking game offer McDermott a different option in the midfield.
The team's current form is promising, with four wins from their last five matches. Their solid defensive record this season, conceding only two goals while scoring six, provides a strong platform. The full World Cup fixtures list shows a challenging path ahead in Australia.
For Hanley, the call-up is validation of a dramatic career turnaround. From construction sites to the cusp of representing his country on the world's biggest stage, his story is one of the most unexpected in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
