In Depth - London Broncos vs Catalans Dragons

James Booth • 21 February 2024

London Broncos vs Catalans Dragons is a fixture which is the 11th most frequent in the Broncos history, with 29 matches taking place between 2006 to present. Out of these 29 matches, the Broncos have won 10 and lost 19 and have a -157 points difference, scoring 620 points and conceding 777.


The first matchup between London and Catalans took place on the 14th of April 2006 which resulted in a Harlequins RL victory, 36-14, at Twickenham Stoop in front of an audience of 3,472. Since then, this matchup has taken place in various stadiums across the UK & France including the City of Manchester Stadium, where all three games were played with an attendance of over 30,000 (2012, 2013 & 2014), Twickenham Stoop, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Ealing Trailfinders & the Hive stadium.

 

London’s biggest victory against Catalans is tied, with a 22-point victory coming in both 2006 (36-14) at the Stoop & in 2007 (38-16) at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium.

 

If history is anything to go by, this Betfred Super League Round 2 matchup is going to be no easy task for the Broncos as they look to get a victory in their first Super League home fixture at Wimbledon. The Broncos have won the last two fixtures which they have played against Catalan- a 30-12 victory on June 15th, 2019, and an 8-0 victory on August 17th, 2019 (both at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium). However, looking back further into the record books, Catalan had won the previous 14 fixtures before these games (between 2011-2019). London have only beaten Catalans 4 times at home, and they certainly have their eyes set on making this number 5 on Friday afternoon.


Catalans Dragons Breakdown

Catalans Dragons was founded in 2000 after Catalan XIII & Saint-Esteve, two Rugby League teams in Perpignon, merged. After winning the double (cup & championship) in France in 2005, the RFL invited the team to be a part of the Super League for 2006 which is where Catalans have been ever since.

 

Honours:

French Rugby League/Elite One Championship: Winners 2005, Runners up 2002 & 2003.

 

Super League: Grand-final runner up 2021 & 2023.

League Leaders shield: 2021.

 

Challenge cup: Winners 2018, Runners up 2007.

 

Million Pound game: Winners 2017.

 

LONDON BRONCOS v CATALANS DRAGONS


Last ten meetings:

Catalans Dragons 4, London Broncos 17 (17/8/19)


Catalans Dragons 12, London Broncos 30 (15/6/19)


London Broncos 6, Catalans Dragons 39 (18/4/19)

(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)


Catalans Dragons 20, London Broncos 18 (5/8/17)


Catalans Dragons 46, London Broncos 4 (30/8/14)


Catalans Dragons 24, London Broncos 22 (17/5/14)

(at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)


London Broncos 22, Catalans Dragons 28 (17/4/14)

(at The Hive, Barnet)


Catalans Dragons 40, London Broncos 24 (4/4/14)


Catalans Dragons 34, London Broncos 28 (6/7/13)


Catalans Dragons 46, London Broncos 18 (25/5/13)

(at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)

 

WILL LOVELL needs one appearance to reach 200 for his career.

- 147 for London Broncos (2012-2014, 2018-2024)

- 52 for London Skolars (2013-2016)

 

ILIESS MACANI needs one try to reach 100 for his career.

- 62 for London Broncos (2013-2016, 2022-2024)

- 19 for London Skolars (2014, loan, 2018-2021)

- 8 for Sheffield Eagles (2018)

- 10 for Bradford Bulls (2017)

MATCHDAY GUIDE

by Jake Watson • 2 May 2025
MATCHDAY GUIDE

MATCH PREVIEW: London Broncos vs York Knights

by Jake Watson • 2 May 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: London Broncos vs York Knights London Broncos welcome Championship rivals York Knights to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to put a stop to a run of three consecutive defeats. On the other side York have won 5 of their previous 6 games with the only defeat coming against Featherstone in a tightly contested affair being decided by just two points. For the Broncos they have performed strongly at home with the only home defeat coming against Batley who scored a try in the last moments of the game to steal the points. The 21-man squad selected by Mike Eccles is available below. Jenson Binks returns to the squad after missing the defeat to Halifax under HIA protocol in a welcome boost. Meanwhile, Lukas Mason & Kian McDermott return from Wigan Warriors after being unavailable for the previous few games. Emmanuel Waine plays the second game of his two week loan and Lennie Ellis joins Louix Gorman is coming from Hull KR and goes straight into the 21. Lennie Ellis is a 19-year-old half and hooker who made his first team debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Last season he played on loan in the Championship with Whitehaven and earlier this season played for Goole in League One.

WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & York Knights

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & York Knights London Broncos play host to York Knights on Saturday but can you tell me what players that have had both clubs play host to them? We have picked out some to have played for both in recent years but can you add any more to the list below? SAM DAVIS A London Broncos academy product, the Leicester born hooker has enjoyed two spells in the capital, sandwiched either side of a spell in the yellow and black of York. Davis played for London between 2016-2021 before moving to York signing a two year deal, however injuries meant he never really settled and rejoined London in 2023 initially on loan before signing permanent terms.  Following relegation from Super League at the end of the 2024 season Davis would move to Salford however financial issues there has meant Davis has once again signed dual-registration terms. So, whilst it won’t be this weekend we could see more of Sammy in a Broncos jersey in the future.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: London Broncos vs York Knights

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: London Broncos vs York Knights Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to face York Knights on Saturday (5pm KO) at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Jenson Binks returns to the squad after missing the defeat to Halifax under HIA protocol in a welcome boost. Meanwhile, Lukas Mason & Kian McDermott return from Wigan Warriors after being unavailable for the previous few games. Emmanuel Waine plays the second game of his two week loan and Lennie Ellis joins Louix Gorman in coming from Hull KR and goes straight into the 21. Lennie Ellis is a 19-year-old half and hooker who made his first team debut against Wigan Warriors in 2023. Last season he played on loan in the Championship with Whitehaven and earlier this season played for Goole in League One.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: London Broncos MAGIC!

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
THROWBACK THURSDAY: London Broncos MAGIC! On the eve of this year's Magic Weekend what better time to re-live our spectacular performance in the 2024 showpiece. London Broncos vs Hull FC was the opening game of the Weekend at Elland Road with both sides desperately looking to avoid finishing bottom of the division. Whilst The Black & Whites would finish off bottom spot by points difference it was Mike Eccles' side who would take the plaudits at Magic Weekend with a 29-4 win. Re-live the day with some of the best images and the video highlights below. #WeAreLondon

ANNOUNCEMENT: Sheffield Eagles match moved to Rosslyn Park

by Jake Watson • 30 April 2025
ANNOUNCEMENT: Sheffield Eagles match moved to Rosslyn Park FC London Broncos can confirm that the upcoming match with Sheffield Eagles on May 11th will now take place at Rosslyn Park FC. The decision has been made due to the uncertainty of the availability around The Cherry Red Records stadium with AFC Wimbledon potentially in play-off action on this date. Despite no current game definitely taking place on this date we have decided to make the decision now to avoid any late changes and allow fans from both teams to arrange necessary travel arrangements. The venue of the club's training ground at Rosslyn Park FC has been chosen to host this fixture due to its familiarity to supporters and players and therefore retaining home advantage. Rosslyn Park FC was the Club’s home ground during the 2021 season and has since been used to host fixtures for the London Broncos Women and the men’s Challenge Cup & 1895 Cup fixtures.

Sullivan Shield Match

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
SULLIVAN SHIELD MATCH The 5th John Sullivan Trophy will take place on Saturday, May 24th at Harpenden Rugby Club. The game takes place in memory of former London Broncos academy player John Sullivan who tragically took his own life in 2014. The event aims to raise awareness of the issue of young male suicide and the importance of mental health more generally, in addition to raising funds for the Sullivan family’s chosen charity CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably .

IT'S GAMEWEEK!!

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday as we welcome York Knights to SW17 for Round 9 of the 2025 Championship campaign. The Broncos, who lost their first home league game of the season, in the previous home game against Batley will be looking to right those wrongs with a much needed win. The visitors currently sit in 6th place in the league table following 4 wins and 4 defeats from their opening 8 games. The game will take place on Saturday with a 5pm kick off with gates opening at 3pm. Ticket information and details can be found below. 

Paul Sykes breaks another record!

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
Paul Sykes breaks another record! London Broncos all-time record points scorer Paul Sykes has become the first player in history to play in 27 consecutive seasons – and according to the Rugby League Record Keepers Club, that’s a new record. Sykes, who will turn 44 in August and was a member of the England squad for the 2008 World Cup, made his first competitive appearance of the 2025 season for Dewsbury Rams in Sunday’s Betfred League One fixture against Rochdale Hornets. And the man who previously held that record is Gus Risman, the Welsh Rugby League great who was a founder member of the sport’s Hall of Fame, having come north to play for Salford in 1929, then moved to Cumbria after the War to make more than 300 appearances for Workington Town, leading them to Wembley victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1952 Challenge Cup Final.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 28 April 2025
FULL MATCH REPLAY: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos You can now watch back the full 80 minutes of London Broncos Championship trip to Halifax at The Shay. #WeAreLondon
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