Chair skills, quick brain – how O'Neill adapted to wheelchair rugby league

Finlay O'Neill thought his sporting days were over when his dislocated a knee at the age of 16. Now he is preparing to play a part in England's bid to retain the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. "If you'd said to me when I was told I couldn't play rugby league again that it's going to be the best thing to ever happen to me, I'd have said 'you're lying'. But discovering wheelchair rugby league, which is even better, has been a blessing." Rugby league has always been an important part of Finlay O'Neill's life. When he dislocated a knee while playing in a game at the age of 16, he put it down to the rigours of the sport.

The knee popped back into place but continued to cause issues, leaving the Halifax teenager struggling on the field and with increasing pain off it too. After extensive medical tests, he was diagnosed with shallow kneecaps and hypermobility. His sporting hopes seemed to be over. But after a lot of family encouragement, he transferred his skills to wheelchair rugby league with Halifax Panthers. Over the past three years, O'Neill has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Now he is part of the England squad who will be defending their Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup title in Australia. "I think the first thing