Chris Melling

Chris Melling (born 21 September 1984, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester) is an English rugby league player.  He plays for Harlequins RL in the European Super League. Melling also plays on the Great Britain national rugby league team.

Chris Melling likes to play full-back. He can also play several other positions.

Wigan Warriors
Melling is a former Wigan Senior Academy captain who made several appearance for the Wigan first team.

In Super League 2004 it had seemed that Melling's career was in doubt following a serious knee injury suffered playing for Wigan against Leeds at Headingley. Melling had been seen as a future star before having his season ended by a cruciate ligament injury.

Upon his return to first team action in 2005 Chris made a further 10 first grade appearances for the JJB club before picking up another knee injury requiring further surgery.

Melling returned to full fitness in 2006, but found first team opportunities limited, due to the emergence of Chris Ashton at the club.

Chris Melling moved into the hooking role in Wigan's academy, impressing enough to be voted as the U'21 Academy 'Player of the Year' for 2006.

He left Wigan to pursue regular first team football.
250px|thumb|left|Chris Melling (right) in defence with Jon Grayshon
Harlequins RL
Melling was initially signed as a back-up hooker to Chad Randall, however the Great Britain international has made full back position his own. He has been compared to Wade McKinnon with the youngster being defensively solid and dependable, with an eye for a gap bringing the ball out in attack.

His move to Harlequins RL was to have seen the youngster undergo a positional change with a move to hooker. He had been previously employed throughout the backline, with most of his first team appearances coming as an outside back.

Melling has impressed in 2007, starting games at full-back and throughout the backline and scoring four tries.

In May 2007 Chris Melling agreed to a new two-year deal with Harlequins Rugby League, midway through his first season at the Twickenham Stoop. This will keep Melling in the capital until 2009.Lester, Joanna: "Joanna Lester chats to two stars who are particularly familiar with today's opposition...", game on!, Harlequins RL v Wigan Warriors, p41, 2nd June 2007

He is seen as the emerging star at the London club, with Harlequins RL investing in young British talent.

Representative Football
In June 2007 Melling was called up to the Great Britain squad and wore the number 1 shirt in the Test match against France.

Melling was joined in the Great Britain Test side by Quins teammate Paul Sykes.

Melling made his Great Britain debut in the 42-14 victory over the French on June 22nd 2007, despite carrying an injury.

Melling is also a youth level international for England.

Away from football
Melling is a qualified Physiotherapist after studying at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, graduating in June 2006.Lester, Joanna: "Joanna Lester chats to full back and budding physiotherapist Chris Melling", game on!, Harlequins RL v Wakefield, p41, 14th April 2007 Melling hopes to set up his own physiotherapy practise in the future.

References

Other websites
 Quins RL profile
 Always seems to be a lot of movement for the London club 
 Wigan Player Profile 
 Quins land young British trio 
 Melling Kicks 10 goals
 Carney praises Wigan's young guns
 Wigan profile



Category:1984 births
Category:Living people
Category:English rugby league players
Category:Sportspeople from Greater Manchester