FEATURE: The Importance of Being London
Jake Watson • 22 July 2025
FEATURE: The Importance of Being London
Sunday’s victory at Sheffield was an important and impressive one but the reminder, if one was needed, of how important London Broncos are in the professional world of Rugby League was powerful.
Lots of the attention was on Lewis Bienek as he made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming only the 51st player to do that in the club's history. There can be little doubt he is one of the best props in the division;
“We are incredibly lucky to have Lewis, he is a Super League player, all day every day”, were the words of Head Coach Mike Eccles, a man who has witnessed Lewis’ progression from the academy through to Super League.
Lewis was always destined to play professional rugby, as a teenager who was already significantly larger than his peers, the offers from various clubs were plentiful. It was Danny Ward, now assistant coach at Hull KR, who saw the potential and insisted the club did all they could to sign him. It wasn’t long before his first-team debut would come around and aged just 18 he would make his first team debut against Batley at the end of the 2016 season. After just 22 first team games Lewis had several offers from Super League clubs all vying for one of the biggest talents in the game. It was Hull FC who won the race for his signature. However, after two seasons in East Yorkshire and one at Castleford it was time for Lewis to return home.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season and the departure of David Hughes there was huge amounts of uncertainty surrounding the club’s future. At one point, would it even exist? During the off-season there were just three contracted players. One of those was Lewis Bienek. He was coming off the back of an impressive season in Super League but was determined to stay in London. Had the club not been able to carry on Bienek said he would have considered retirement.
Thankfully the worst case scenarios were avoided and Lewis has now reached that landmark appearance and once again reiterated his full commitment to the club and what it has provided for him;
“I’ve come through the system as a young lad and this is why I started playing Rugby League and the club has given me everything in building me up.
“I went away for a bit but the last four years have been incredible. We have won some really big games and been promoted to Super League.
“To get to 100 appearances is a really big achievement for me. I’m really pleased to do it at this club.
“You look at those lads (Alex Walker & Will Lovell) and you try to follow in their footsteps of being top blokes for this club and I’m keen to carry that on and play as long as I can at London.
“I have no intention of playing anywhere else. I’m happy here and I want to keep cracking out some milestones!”
Lewis was not the only London success story achieving a big life moment on Sunday as Tommy Porter became the 737th player to represent the club and the 4th academy debutant this season.
Tommy joined the Broncos academy as a 14-year-old and progressed through to scholarship and was on track to become the latest talent to make his way into the first-team. However, Porter decided to take his University degree to Manchester where he would study for the next three years whilst being able to still play the game up north. He would sign with the likes of Rochdale Hornets, Leigh Leopards and Swinton Lions.
But the desire to move back “home” to London was too strong and Porter had unfinished business with the Broncos.
“Having come through the scholarship and academy at Broncos I’m delighted that I get to have a shot at first team rugby here. This club means a lot to me having spent 4 years here previously.” said Porter upon returning to London.
“Truthfully without the club I don’t think I would be playing Rugby League today. I’m excited to give my all to make this club as successful as possible, on and off the pitch.”
After three years away and just a handful of training sessions with the group Porter was thrust straight into the action. The hooker seamlessly slotted in, putting in an impressive 50 minute stint which was capped off with a debut try against Sheffield Eagles.
The story of Porter is very similar to that of Ben Hursery-Hord - a young player who returned to the club this season after also progressing through the academy before moving to Leeds to complete university. During his time up north he would play for Leeds Rhinos and Halifax Panthers but upon completion of his studies he also wanted to return to London.
The 22-year-old first joined the Broncos system as a 17-year-old from Kent based club Invicta Panthers - the same team which produced Oli & Bill Leyland. They join Bienek & Rob Butler as Kent born players to play for the first-team. Further highlighting the importance of taking games to Ebbsfleet to inspire the next generation from that region to play Rugby League!
Of course we must also mention the players at the other end of their careers, Will Lovell and Alex Walker. Two players that are undoubtedly club legends and now on the cusp of cementing their legacies.
The all-time record for appearances is held by Aussie-born American international Steele Retchless on 202. Closely followed by Cumbrian Rob Purdham and Australian Chad Randall jointly on 197. 32-year-old Lovell is now on 192 and, as long as he remains fit, will move into 2nd position on Saturday 30th August vs Batley Bulldogs and then the final league game of the season will be appearance number 200. Walker, aged 29, is just three appearances behind and recently scored his 100th career try. To have two London produced players at one and two of the all-time appearances for the club would be a sight to behold. A testament to the pair for incredible loyalty and longevity but also to the club for discovering and nurturing such talented players and providing the platform it has.
We are on the brink of the first Ashes series in 22 years and you will likely see Kai Pearce-Paul & Mike McMeeken take to the field. Not only a proud moment for the individuals to represent their country on the biggest stage but a proud moment for London Broncos. Two players that likely would have been lost to Rugby Union had it not been for the very existence of London Broncos.
So as we celebrate the individual achievements of Bienek, Porter, Lovell, Walker etc lets take a moment to remember ‘The Importance of Being London’.
#WeAreLondon
London Broncos Commit to Continued Growth and Future Super League Ambitions The London Broncos acknowledge the Rugby Football League’s (‘RFL’) decision following its competition structure review process. The Club will continue its journey in the Betfred Championship (‘Championship’) for the 2026 season. Although the Broncos have not been selected for promotion to the Betfred Super League (‘Super League’), the Club remains confident in its vision and long-term ambitions, with the review process only strengthening our commitment to once more reaching the top level of the English game. Supported by new investment, a refreshed leadership group, and guidance from leading sports and rugby league consultants, the Broncos are delivering a clear plan for long-term success on and off the pitch.
IMG GRADING 2026 London Broncos can announce the Club has received a score of 11.65 for the upcoming season which sees us move to 16th in the gradings. Hull KR’s historic on-field success in the 2025 season has lifted them to the top of the Club Grading rankings produced by the RFL and IMG to measure and drive the development of the sport. The Robins, who won their first Betfred Super League title at Old Trafford on Saturday night to follow their Wembley triumph in the Challenge Cup Final in June, become the third different club to lead the way in as many years since indicative gradings were first published in 2023 - with Leeds Rhinos and St Helens, who were top in 2023 and 2024 respectively, now second and third. Hull KR’s total score of 17.85 out of a maximum 20 across the five grading pillars – Fandom, Finance, Stadium, Community and On-Field Performance (*see below for full details) – is the highest achieved by any club over the last three years, boosted by 0.75 points for their Grand Final triumph, and 0.25 for their Challenge Cup win. They were sixth in the original indicative rankings in 2023 with a score of 15.52, climbing to fifth last year with 15.97. Nine of the 12 Betfred Super League clubs have passed the threshold of 15 points required for an A Grade – the same number as in 2024. Wigan Warriors, who finished second in the Super League table and reached their third consecutive Grand Final, are fourth in the rankings, with Leigh Leopards climbing two places to fifth. Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons and Wakefield Trinity all retain their A grading in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, and Hull FC regain Grade A status and climb from 10 th to ninth after lifting their overall grading score from 14.51 to 15.06. Bradford Bulls are the highest-ranked of 15 clubs who earn a B Grade, climbing from 16 th in the 2024 table to 10 th by lifting their score from 12.15 to 14.81 – and making them comfortably the highest-ranked club from outside the current Betfred Super League. They are followed by Castleford Tigers (14.66) and Huddersfield Giants (14.65) – with those three B-graded clubs joining the nine Grade As in the 12 who secure automatic places in the 2026 Super League. Following a decision by the existing Super League clubs to prioritise expansion of the competition, a Panel has been considering the possibility of admitting two additional clubs for 2026 – with their decision to be announced on Friday morning. Those clubs who do not secure Super League places will play in an expanded Betfred Championship in 2026, following a recent decision to merge the Championship with Betfred League One. Batley Bulldogs and Whitehaven, the two clubs who were not graded in 2024 because of delays in their submissions, come into the table in 21 st and 29 th respectively – Batley graded B with a score of 8.16, and Whitehaven one of nine clubs who receive a Grade C with a score of 6.23. Keighley Cougars and Newcastle Thunder have not been given a score having failed to meet the deadline for submitting the necessary information, although as in the cases of Batley and Whitehaven last year, the RFL will work with those clubs to assess what their score and ranking would have been should it be relevant in terms of their share of central distributions. Salford Red Devils have slipped from 12 th with a score of 13.97 to 15 th with a score of 12.65, with their Finance score reflecting information submitted for the 2022-24 seasons – and not including the 2025 season. They have had 0.25 points deducted from their score as a result of the deduction of two competition points for breaching operational rules in their team selection for the Round One fixture at St Helens in February. Salford are one of three clubs, with Featherstone Rovers and Halifax Panthers of the Betfred Championship, who are the subject of HMRC petitions, which could affect their Finance score for 2026 should the petitions be confirmed. Full details of the five pillars are published in the 2025 Club Grading Handbook Rugby League Grading Handbook_2025FINAL.pdf Ends…
UPCOMING FAN EVENTS! London Broncos Fan Group invite you to join them on Saturday 18 th October at 7.30pm at Belushi’s Sports bar in London Bridge. The Group have secured a bar within the venue called The Dugout with and live music. The event is completely free of charge and everyone is warmly invited to attend to engage with other London Broncos fans as a social event. Their programme of events for the remainder of the year are as follows: Welcome Party - Saturday 18 th October 7.30pm 2 nd Ashes Test – Saturday 1 st November 2pm 3 rd Ashes Test – Saturday 8 th November 2pm Broncos Christmas Party – Saturday 6 th December 7.30pm Please note Saturday is a FREE event and no tickets are required. #WeAreLondon
Darren & Adam Hills to present the Community Club Awards: BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY!
London Broncos add Tongan international Siliva Havili to 2026 squad The London Broncos are pleased to confirm the signing of Siliva Havili, a versatile forward and seasoned international with Tonga, as preparations continue for the Club’s proposed return to the Betfred Super League in 2026. Havili, who has enjoyed a decorated NRL career with South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders, adds toughness, utility value, and leadership to the Broncos’ roster. Renowned for his uncompromising style of play and his ability to slot seamlessly into both hooker and lock, Havili has represented Tonga at the highest level and played in some of Rugby League’s fiercest contests. The Broncos’ pursuit of Havili reflects a strategic approach to squad building: blending internationally-proven performers with returning members of the current squad to maintain cultural continuity. His signing represents another step forward in the Club’s wider plan to present London with a rugby league team of genuine calibre and ambition. “Siliva is the type of player who makes everyone around him better,” said Director of Rugby, Mike Eccles. “He’s a competitor, a leader, and he’s experienced success at international level. Adding someone of his quality to our environment is a huge statement of intent.” For London fans, the arrival of Havili is not just about one player. It highlights the momentum of a recruitment programme that aims to deliver Super League-quality rugby league to the capital, inspiring a new generation of supporters and re-establishing the Broncos as a destination club. #WeAreLondon
London Broncos secure former Kangaroos international Reagan Campbell-Gillard for 2026 season The London Broncos are excited to announce the signing of Australian international prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, one of the NRL’s most formidable forwards, ahead of a potential return to the Betfred Super League in 2026. Campbell-Gillard, who has starred for the Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels, Gold Coast Titans and represented both Australia and New South Wales in State of Origin, brings unmatched pedigree and presence to the Broncos pack. A World Cup winner and multiple-time international, he arrives in London with the experience, resilience, and professionalism required to lead from the front. His addition marks a significant milestone in the Broncos’ journey to assemble a squad that can compete with the very best in the Super League. While the Club awaits the outcome of its licence application, the recruitment of Campbell-Gillard is a clear demonstration of intent and ambition. It underscores the Broncos’ commitment to delivering a high-performance environment capable of inspiring supporters across the capital and competing with rugby league’s strongest clubs. Campbell-Gillard himself expressed his excitement about the challenge ahead: “London is an incredible city and the Broncos are a club with a proud history. The chance to help build something special here, at such an important moment for the game in the UK, was too good to turn down.” For fans, the arrival of a world-class prop signals not only the Club’s determination to succeed but also the broader momentum of rugby league in London. The Broncos are building a squad that blends international quality with home-grown talent, a combination designed to both deliver results on the field and reignite the passion of a diverse supporter base across the capital. #WeAreLondon
Awards to be presented by Adam Hills on 23 Oct - Buy Your Ticket Today!
Help them travel to Leeds to play Super League Clubs - PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
All funds support Community Rugby League in London - join the lottery today!
Betfred Championship Awards 2025 York Knights will dominate the awards for the 2025 Betfred Championship when they are presented at Rugby League’s Awards Night in Manchester next Tuesday (October 7) – two days after they host Toulouse Olympique in the Grand Final at the LNER Community Stadium. The Knights have already secured the League Leaders’ Shield and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, their first ever win at Wembley Stadium, in a 20-match winning run stretching back to April. Three of their players – their captain and half-back Liam Harris, the veteran hooker Paul McShane, and non-stop prop Jordan Thompson – form the shortlist for the 2025 Betfred Championship Player of the Year, following a poll of the head coaches of the competition’s 13 clubs. The coaches also voted almost unanimously that Mark Applegarth should be the 2025 Betfred Championship Coach of the Year. Jack Smith, a 20-year-old goalkicking three quarter who joined London Broncos on loan from Leeds Rhinos in May, breaks York’s monopoly with the Young Player of the Year award, again decided by a poll of coaches. The winner of the 2025 Betfred Championship Player of the Year Award will be announced at the Rugby League Awards Night on Tuesday October 7, when Mark Applegarth and Jack Smith will be presented with their awards. #WeAreLondon
