Leigh Leopards star Robbie Mulhern opens up on England ambition

Prop, 29, hopes to prove to Shaun Wane he's ready to take on Samoa in two-Test series

Their season fell at the hands of unstoppable Wigan but Robbie Mulhern still hopes to represent Leigh for England.

The all-action prop, who turns 30 on Friday, is keeping his fingers crossed he’ll be named in Shaun Wane’s squad for the two-Test series against Samoa. He has been one of Super League’s leading forwards, backing up his stellar 2023 form with the Leopards. Mulhern played in the third and final Test of last year’s whitewash of Tonga, becoming the first Leigh player to feature for England since 1984.

On whether he’s playing better than ever, the ex-Warrington ace said: “I felt like I played well last year and it’s been more of the same this time. I feel like I’ve been quite consistent. I don’t know if it’s been my best season yet - it’s not for me to say - but I feel I’ve had a good year so hopefully I’m in that 24-man England squad. I’ve been at the fall-out training sessions and keeping fit but, if I’m not in, it’s time to rest.”

Wane must whittle down his initial 31-man squad as England start preparations for the opening Test on Sunday week. But he’s not short of front-row options with Wigan’s Grand Final-winning trio of Luke Thompson, Tyler Dupree and Ethan Havard in the mix. St Helens’ Dream Team rep’ Matty Lees, South Sydney’s Tom Burgess, Catalans’ Mike McMeeken, Warrington’s James Harrison and even Huddersfield veteran Chris Hill are also in the frame.

Wane will assess how players from Saturday’s Grand Final shape-up before making his final call. Leigh missed out on a maiden Grand Final appearance after being hammered 38-0 by Wigan in a one-sided semi. Matt Peet’s ruthless side also kept Hull KR tryless at Old Trafford to retain their Super League title.

Mulhern recalled: “We came in really positive and thought if we got off to a good start and stuck to our core principles that we could get a result in that semi. But our completion rate wasn’t good enough. It was very, very low and we gave away too many six-agains and penalties. Doing that against a quality team like Wigan - who are on fire - they will take them. It was such a shame we couldn’t go out with one last big celebration. And we had an emotional chat about it all. But we've achieved a lot in these last two seasons - and we’ll be back next year.”

Having won the Challenge Cup last year on the back of promotion, Leigh have now waved goodbye to a raft of key players including captain John Asiata, NRL-bound forwards Tom Amone and Kai O’Donnell plus Zak Hardaker and Ricky Leutele. They have made four big signings for 2025 so far, all from the NRL: Newcastle Knights full-back David Armstrong, New Zealand prop Isaac Liu from Gold Coast, Dolphins and Tonga three-quarter Fanitesi Niu plus Manly second-row Ben Condon. England Academy prop Ryan Brown, 19, also today joined Leigh from Wigan on a two-year deal.