Umyla Hanley was working as a builder two years ago. Now he hopes to play for England at a World Cup

It looked as if his rugby league career was going nowhere but Ellery Hanley’s son timed his rise to the top perfectly

By No Helmets Required

Among the unlikeliest visitors to Leigh Leopards’ recent win at Leeds Rhinos was a tortoise. The animal stall was part of a family night at Headingley; presumably unleashing a rhino on the crowded concourse was considered unwise. The Leigh centre Umyla Hanley’s journey to the top has epitomised the tortoise’s approach to life.

While the career trajectory of his opposite number at Headingley, Ash Handley, was hare-like – he made his debut at 18 and was quickly heralded as the club’s next wing wizard – Hanley has taken the slow lane. He made his Super League debut for Wigan six years ago but, after appearing to have made a breakthrough in the 2021 season, was soon farmed off to Newcastle on loan, seemingly doomed to live in the shadows of his father, the hall of famer Ellery Hanley.