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Josh Charnley
Josh Charnley
from Wikipedia

Joshua Charnley (born 26 June 1991) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League.

Key Information

He previously played for the Warrington Wolves and the Wigan Warriors, with whom he won the 2013 and 2016 Super League Grand Finals, and was on loan from Wigan at Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League.[5] At international level, he played for the England Knights in 2011 and won 8 caps for England between 2012 and 2014.

Charnley also played rugby union for the Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership from 2016 to 2018.

Club career

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Academy

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Charnley made numerous appearances for the Under 20s in 2010 before joining Blackpool Panthers on dual registration and then Hull Kingston Rovers on loan. He was a player around the fringes of a first team opportunity at Wigan before the possibility came to join Hull Kingston Rovers for a month. Injuries meant he was given the chance to play first team rugby by Hull KR coach Justin Morgan, making his Super League debut. Charnley showed great promise on his debut for Hull KR against Leeds Rhinos and picked up the club man of the match award. He scored five tries in five appearances,[6] including a hat-trick in a home win over Castleford Tigers, and the opening try in the derby clash with Hull FC.

Wigan Warriors

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Charnley made his first team debut for Wigan at Craven Park against Hull Kingston Rovers in August where he scored a try off the bench.

He played on the wing in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds side at Wembley Stadium. Charnley scored the first try, and broke a bone in his hand in his side's victory over Leeds.[7][8]

Charnley playing for Wigan

In the 2012 Super League season he scored 31 tries to help Wigan to the League Leaders' Shield. This put Charnley in third place in the all-time top try scorers in a regular season in the summer era as only Lesley Vainikolo (36 tries) and Danny McGuire (35 tries), both in 2004, have scored more tries in a Super League regular season.

Charnley then went onto an even better 2013 season helping Wigan to the double (Challenge Cup winners and Super League champions) scoring a record-breaking 43 tries ranking him first. He played in the 2013 Challenge Cup Final victory over Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.[9][10][11] He played in the 2013 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.[12][13][14][15][16]

Although the game ended in a 36–14 defeat for Wigan, Charnley scored two tries in the 2014 World Club Challenge against NRL champions the Sydney Roosters. On 18 June 2014, he scored five tries in a 48–4 victory over Widnes Vikings. Despite missing two months of action due to a knee injury, Charnley still scored at a rate of over a try a game with 23 tries in 21 games in the 2014 season.

He played in the 2014 Super League Grand Final defeat by St Helens at Old Trafford.[17][18][19] During the 2016 season, it was announced that Charnley would switch codes to join Sale Sharks at the end of the 2016 Super League season. Charnley signed off in style as he scored the winning try in the 2016 Super League Grand Final against Warrington, chasing and touching down a beautifully weighted kick from Dan Sarginson at Old Trafford.[20]

Sale Sharks

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On 30 March 2016, Charnley made the cross-code switch to rugby union with Manchester-based Sale Sharks, who compete in the Aviva Premiership, for the 2016–17 season.[21] Charnley was not able to repeat his scoring success in rugby union, bagging four tries in 32 games. Charnley then returned to rugby league for the 2018 summer season, his last game in rugby union coming against London Irish in February.

Warrington Wolves

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Charnley returned to rugby league for the 2018 season with Super League club, Warrington Wolves. He played in the 2018 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Catalans Dragons at Wembley Stadium[22] and the Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.[23]

In his second season with the Wolves, Charnley played in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final victory over St. Helens at Wembley Stadium.[24]

Leigh Leopards

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On 25 June 2022, Charnley signed an initial loan deal with Championship side Leigh with a permanent contract starting in 2023. On 10 July 2022, Charnley made his debut for Leigh, scoring a try during a 66–0 victory over Workington Town.[25] On 28 August 2022, Charnley scored two tries for Leigh in a 42–4 victory over Widnes.[26] In round 3 of the 2023 Super League season, Charnley scored two tries including the winner as Leigh earned their first win back in the top flight defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 30-25.[27] In round 6, Charnley scored a hat-trick as Leigh defeated Hull F.C. 24-16.[28] On 12 August 2023, Charnley played for Leigh in their 17-16 Challenge Cup final victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.[29] Charnley played 26 games for Leigh in the 2023 Super League season and scored 27 tries as the club finished fifth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. He played in their elimination playoff loss against Hull Kington Rovers.[30] In May 2024, he scored his 300th career try in a win against Salford Red Devils.[31] Charnley played 25 games for Leigh in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish fifth on the table. He played in the clubs semi-final loss to Wigan.[32]

International career

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Charnley made his representative debut for the England Knights in a friendly against France in 2011, scoring two tries and kicking four goals from six kicks.[33] He went on to make another scoring appearance against Cumbria one week later.[34]

Charnley made his senior international debut for England against Wales in the 2012 Autumn International Series, scoring four tries in his first appearance for England.[35] He represented England in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, scoring a try against Australia in the tournament's opening fixture,[36] and a brace against France in the quarter-final.[37] During the 2014 Four Nations, he scored a try in the loss to New Zealand.[38]

Honours

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Grand Final: 3

2010, 2013, 2016

League Leaders' Shield: 2

2010, 2012

Challenge Cup: 4

2011, 2013, 2019, 2023

Super League Top Try Scorer: 2

2012 (31 tries), 2013 (33 tries)

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Joshua Charnley (born 26 June 1991) is an English professional winger who plays for in the Betfred . Born in , , Charnley began his professional career with Blackpool Panthers and before joining in 2010, where he established himself as one of the league's most prolific try-scorers. Over his time at (2010–2016), he won three titles (2010, 2013, 2016) and two Challenge Cups (2011, 2013), amassing 147 tries in 200 appearances. In 2013, he set the record for most tries in a single season with 34, including a record seven tries in one match against . Charnley later played for from 2018 to 2022, contributing to their 2019 victory, before returning to his hometown club in 2022. With Leigh, he helped secure the 2023 and has continued his scoring form, reaching 256 career tries across 322 appearances as of 2025. In September 2025, he extended his contract with Leigh until the end of the 2026 season. Internationally, Charnley represented in 2011 and earned eight Test caps for between 2012 and 2014, scoring nine tries, including three at the . Standing at 182 cm and weighing 91 kg, he is renowned for his finishing ability and has scored 306 career tries in 376 club appearances.

Early life and background

Childhood and family

Josh Charnley was born on 26 June 1991 in Chorley, Lancashire, England. He grew up in a working-class family in Chorley, a town steeped in rugby league culture near the Greater Manchester border, where his parents instilled a strong work ethic from an early age. Charnley's father served as a major inspiration, introducing him to the gym at Pascals in Chorley and emphasizing discipline through hard work, while his mother supported the family by holding multiple jobs to provide for Charnley and his one sister. As a child, Charnley was active and competitive, initially drawn to football before transitioning to organized rugby through local clubs like Panthers around age six. His early non-rugby interests included , which he pursued as a relaxing escape into nature, and a passion for construction work inherited from his family, shaping his practical and resilient personality. Today, Charnley is married to Zoe Charnley (née ) since and has two sons, Arlo and Axel, the latter of whom is autistic and non-verbal, influencing his family's advocacy for related challenges.

Introduction to rugby league

Josh Charnley was introduced to rugby league at a young age through community-level play in his hometown of , . He first took to the field with the local amateur club Chorley Panthers, where he began participating alongside his school friends in informal and organized matches that ignited his passion for the sport. As Charnley progressed, he transitioned to another prominent amateur outfit, , which provided a stronger platform for skill development and exposure within the regional scene. It was during his time at that early coaches John Pendlebury and Brian Foley identified his raw talent, offering guidance that honed his fundamental techniques and game understanding through regular training sessions and local competitions. From these initial experiences, Charnley's exceptional speed and agility quickly stood out, positioning him ideally for the demanding role where his ability to accelerate and evade defenders became a defining trait noticed by observers in youth tournaments.

Club career

Academy and youth development

Charnley joined the ' development system at the age of 13 in 2004, but was released shortly after due to concerns over his small physical stature. He re-joined the club's academy at age 15 in 2006, having grown significantly and demonstrated strong potential as a winger. Throughout his academy tenure, Charnley progressed through the under-18s and under-20s squads, focusing on developing his pace, finishing ability, and defensive positioning under the guidance of youth coaches. By 2010, at age 19, he had established himself in the under-20s team, making numerous appearances and showcasing his try-scoring prowess in reserve fixtures. To gain senior experience, Charnley was sent on dual registration to Panthers in 2010, where he made his professional debut and began adapting to competitive men's rugby. Later that year, he joined on loan under coach Michael Maguire, scoring five tries in five appearances, including a standout performance on debut against that earned him the man-of-the-match award and helped build his confidence alongside established players like . These youth and loan opportunities were pivotal in refining Charnley's skills, particularly his aerial ability and line-finishing, paving the way for his first-team breakthrough with Wigan later in 2010. Early encouragement from his family in Chorley had also fueled his determination to pursue a professional career despite initial setbacks.

Wigan Warriors

Josh Charnley made his Super League debut for Wigan Warriors in August 2010 against Hull Kingston Rovers, scoring a try in a 30-22 victory after being recalled from a loan spell where he had already notched five tries in five appearances. He featured in eight games that season, contributing to Wigan's League Leaders' Shield win and appearing as a substitute in the Super League Grand Final loss to St Helens. Charnley established himself as Wigan's primary winger over the following years, peaking as Super League's top try-scorer in 2012 with 32 tries across the regular season and playoffs, helping the team secure another League Leaders' Shield. In 2013, he surpassed that mark with 34 league tries, adding to his reputation as a prolific finisher through powerful runs and strong aerial ability. His contributions were pivotal in Wigan's 2013 victory over , a 30-16 win that completed the double alongside the ; Charnley scored a crucial try early in the second half by intercepting a pass and racing 80 meters to shift momentum. Three years later, in the 2016 against the same opponents, Charnley provided the match-winning moment in a tight 12-6 triumph, collecting a Dan Sarginson grubber kick to score the decisive try in the 69th minute during his final appearance for the club. Over his seven seasons at from 2010 to 2016, Charnley made 173 appearances, scoring 164 tries and adding 103 goals for a total of 862 points, solidifying his role as the team's go-to winger on the left flank. In March 2016, with his contract set to expire at season's end, Charnley announced a switch to with , a cross-code move that Wigan coach described as bittersweet, praising his impact while expressing reluctance to lose such a key player.

Sale Sharks

In 2016, Josh Charnley signed a two-year deal with , marking his transition from to following a prolific stint at where he had established himself as a high-scoring winger. The move was driven by his ambition to test himself in the 15-man code, with Sale's director of rugby Steve Diamond highlighting Charnley's physical attributes and potential to adapt to the Premiership. During his time at Sale from 2016 to 2018, Charnley made 32 appearances, primarily on the wing, and scored four tries. He featured in various competitions, including the Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup, but struggled to secure a regular starting role amid competition from established players. Charnley faced significant challenges adapting to rugby union's distinct rules and demands, such as the faster pace, rucking and mauling techniques, and set-piece elements like lineouts, which contrasted sharply with the continuous play of league. The physicality of union, with its emphasis on contested possession and larger forward packs, also proved demanding, leading to limited game time and a sense of disconnection from his natural game. In March 2018, released Charnley a year early from his contract, allowing him to return to . He cited a strong preference for the 13-man game's intensity and familiarity as key factors in his decision, expressing no regrets but a clear desire to resume his career where he felt most comfortable.

Warrington Wolves

After spending nearly 18 months in rugby union with Sale Sharks, where he gained valuable experience that aided his swift adaptation back to league's pace and physicality, Josh Charnley signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Warrington Wolves in March 2018. He made an immediate impact in his debut season, scoring 25 tries in 28 appearances, including a brace on his home debut against Widnes Vikings, helping Warrington finish third in Super League and reach the Grand Final, where they lost to Wigan Warriors. Charnley's consistency continued into 2019, where he scored 17 tries in 29 games and played a key role in Warrington's triumph, defeating St Helens 18-4 in the final at —his first major trophy since leaving . The Wolves again reached the playoffs, advancing to the semi-finals before a narrow defeat to . Over his tenure, Charnley amassed 69 tries in 108 appearances, contributing 276 points and establishing himself as a reliable winger with explosive finishing ability. The 2020 season, shortened and disrupted by the , saw Charnley feature in 19 matches and score six tries, supporting Warrington's strong second-place finish and another appearance, though they fell short against St Helens. In 2021, he added 13 tries in 22 games amid a third-place regular-season standing, but the team exited in the semi-finals against . Following a extension in July 2019 that secured his services until the end of 2022, Charnley played 10 games and scored eight tries early in the 2022 campaign before mutually agreeing to depart in June to return to his hometown club, Leigh Centurions.

Leigh Leopards

Charnley signed a two-year with his hometown club (rebranded as in 2022) in June 2022, marking his return to after a stint at . Since joining midway through the 2022 season, he has appeared in 86 games for the club, scoring 63 tries as of 2025. During his tenure, Charnley has been instrumental in Leigh's resurgence, contributing to key successes including the victory—the club's first since 1971—where they defeated 17-16 in extra time at . That year, Leigh also secured a playoff appearance, finishing fifth before a 20-6 elimination loss to Hull KR. In the 2024 season, Charnley featured in 27 games as Leigh again finished fifth, advancing to the playoffs and reaching the semi-finals, where they fell 38-0 to . Charnley's prior experience across multiple clubs has bolstered his leadership role within the Leigh squad, providing mentorship to younger players amid their competitive campaigns. In September 2025, he extended his contract with Leigh through the end of the 2026 season, committing to the club despite earlier expressing a personal desire to retire at boyhood team while pursuing the all-time try-scoring record, currently held by Ryan Hall. Charnley, who has amassed 256 tries as of September 2025, aims to close the gap in the coming years.

International career

England Knights

Charnley earned selection to the squad in 2011, reflecting his impressive form as a winger for the that season. He made his sole representative appearance for the team on 15 October 2011, starting on the wing in a friendly international against at Leigh Sports Village. The secured a 38–18 victory, with Charnley contributing significantly by scoring two tries and kicking four goals. In the match, Charnley opened the scoring early by outjumping French winger Cyril Stacul to claim a hanging kick from Matty Smith, before dashing inside to touch down, showcasing his aerial prowess and opportunistic finishing. His second try further demonstrated his try-poaching instincts, underlining his speed and positioning on the edge. These efforts not only boosted the team's lead but also highlighted Charnley's readiness for higher-level representative rugby. The operate as an A-international development side, bridging the gap between domestic club competitions and senior international duty by providing emerging players with valuable experience against international opposition. Charnley's standout performance in this fixture exemplified the squad's role in nurturing talent for potential elevation to the full England team.

England international

Charnley made his senior international debut for England in the 2012 Autumn International Series against Wales on 27 October 2012, where he scored four tries in an 80–12 victory at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. He also featured in the series finale against France on 11 November 2012 at Craven Park in Hull, scoring one try in a 48–4 win. Over his international career, he earned eight caps and scored nine tries for England between 2012 and 2014. Charnley featured in the , playing four matches and scoring four tries. He scored one try in the 20–28 group stage loss to on 26 October 2013 at in , added another in the 34–12 group stage victory against on 2 November 2013 at KC Stadium in Hull, and crossed twice in the 34–6 quarter-final win over on 16 November 2013 at DW Stadium in . He also played in the 18–20 semi-final loss to on 23 November 2013 at , but did not score. In the 2014 Rugby League Four Nations, Charnley played three matches, scoring one try in the 14–16 loss to on 8 November 2014 at in . He also featured in the 32–26 opening victory against on 25 2014 at Suncorp Stadium in and the 12–16 loss to on 2 November 2014 at AAMI Park in . did not qualify for the final. Charnley's final cap came in the 2014 Four Nations against . Following his switch to with in 2016, he did not earn further international call-ups upon returning to with in 2018, amid strong competition on the wing and his adaptation back to the code.

Honours and statistics

Team honours

During his time with the , Charnley was part of the squad that secured the League Leaders' Shield in 2010, finishing atop the table with 44 points from 27 matches. He also contributed to another League Leaders' Shield victory in 2012, as again topped the regular-season standings. Charnley won the twice with , first in 2011 when they defeated 28-18 at , and again in 2013 with a 16-0 shutout of . Later, he claimed the with in 2019, beating St Helens 18-4 in the final, and with in 2023, edging Hull KR 17-16 in golden-point extra time at . In Grand Finals, Charnley featured in Wigan's 30-16 victory over in 2013 and their 12-6 win against the same opponents in 2016, securing two titles for the club. On the international stage, Charnley represented at the , where the team reached the semi-finals but suffered no major tournament honours.

Individual achievements

Charnley established himself as one of the Super League's premier try-scorers early in his career, claiming the top try-scorer award in 2012 with 31 tries for . He repeated the feat in 2013, leading the league with 34 tries during a season in which he contributed significantly to Wigan's double triumph. His consistent excellence earned him selections to the Dream Team in 2012 and 2013 while at , recognizing his impact as a winger. Charnley returned to the Dream Team in 2023 with , marking his third overall inclusion and highlighting his enduring prowess at age 32. At club level, Charnley was named 's Coaches' Player of the Year in 2013, reflecting his standout performances that season. Later, with Leigh, he received the Black Card Membership Player of the Year award in 2023, voted by supporters for his record-breaking 26 tries in the top flight.

Career records and statistics

Josh Charnley has established himself as one of the most prolific try-scorers in history, accumulating 256 tries across 322 appearances as of November 2025, placing him second on the all-time list behind Ryan Hall's 264. His overall club career in totals 376 appearances with 306 tries, including contributions from and playoff matches. Charnley's try tally is distributed across his stints with multiple clubs, showcasing consistent scoring prowess on the wing. At from 2010 to 2016, he recorded 164 tries in 173 appearances, encompassing 146 in regular-season games. With between 2018 and 2022, he added 69 tries in 108 games, including 57 in . Since joining in mid-2022, Charnley has scored 63 tries in 87 appearances, with 53 tries by the end of the 2025 season, highlighted by his 256th career try against in September 2025. During his brief rugby union spell at from 2016 to 2018, he made 32 appearances and scored 4 tries. Internationally, Charnley has represented in 8 Test matches, scoring 9 tries, including a debut haul of 4 against in 2012. He also featured once for in 2011, scoring 2 tries. Key milestones include reaching 250 tries in July 2025 during a match against Hull KR, and continuing his pursuit of Hall's record into the 2025 , where he remained 8 tries short at season's end.
Club/TeamAppearancesTries (Super League where applicable)Total Tries
173146164
1085769
875363
(Union)32N/A4
(Tests)8N/A9
1N/A2

References

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