Former Wigan Warriors ace, current Leigh Leopards star Josh Charnley breaks Super League try-scoring record

Former Wigan Warriors favourite and current Leigh Leopards star Josh Charnley made history on Sunday afternoon as he became Super League’s all-time top try-scorer.

The 34-year-old winger scored a hat-trick in Leigh’s 38-12 win over Bradford Bulls at Odsal Stadium. It took him up to 272 tries in Super League throughout his decorated career, moving one ahead of Leeds Rhinos legend Ryan Hall, who is currently on 271.

The try-scoring race between Charnley and Hall will no doubt carry on until the end of the season. Both players are out of contract with their respective clubs at the season’s end, with no official announcements having been made on either player’s future beyond the end of the current campaign.

Charnley is now on 16 tries in Super League this season, only behind Leeds powerhouse winger Maika Sivo, having helped the Leopards pick up their sixth win in seven matches.

“Yeah (it feels) good, I’ve been chasing this for a few years now,” smiled Charnley when speaking to Sky Sports after Leigh’s win over Bradford.

“It’s going to be neck and neck with me and Hally now until the end of the year, and we’ll see what happens, but I’m very grateful to the team today and the teams I’ve played for over the years to put me in this limelight.”

Charnley left the action with around 15 minutes remaining, but Charnley insists there are no major concerns with his injury.

“I’ve got a gash across my kneecap - I think it’s just from a boot,” Charnley continued. “They’ve just taped it up for the time being because I wanted to do this interview, so they are going to stitch me up, so as soon as I get back, I’ll be sweet.”

Charnley may now be Super League’s all-time leading try-scorer with 272 - but his overall career stats are perhaps even more impressive, with 336 tries to his name in 405 career appearances across all competitions in rugby league.

The Chorley-born winger came through the ranks at Wigan, where he went on to score 164 tries and kick 103 goals in 173 appearances for the Warriors between 2010 and 2016 before spending two years in rugby union with Sale Sharks.

Charnley returned to rugby league with Warrington Wolves in 2018, and would go on to score 69 tries in 108 games for the Wolves across five seasons.

The former England international made the move to Leigh midway through the 2022 campaign, where he remains to this day, having scored 81 tries in 104 appearances for the Leopards so far.

“I do all the little things away from the sport, I’m very professional, and I’ve got to try to keep on top (of my fitness) because there are a lot of young lads coming through,” Charnley added.

“I want to keep playing week in, week out, and I want to cause a headache for Lammy (Adrian Lam) to keep me in the team, so I’m very grateful of what’s happened today and the players I’ve played with.”

Charnley has enjoyed a trophy-laden career to go alongside his personal accolades, having won three Super League titles, two League Leaders’ Shields and two Challenge Cups during his time with Wigan. He then helped Warrington lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2019 before achieving the same feat with Leigh in 2023.

Super League’s top 10 all-time try-scorers: Josh Charnley (272), Ryan Hall (271), Danny McGuire (247), Tommy Makinson (205), Keith Senior (199), Paul Wellens (199), Jermaine McGillvary (196), Ryan Atkins (186), Tom Briscoe (178), Leon Pryce (173).