In depth- London Broncos vs Wigan Warriors (Super League Round 4)

James Booth • 6 March 2024

London Broncos vs Wigan Warriors is a matchup which is the joint 4th (with Hull FC) most frequent matchup in the Broncos history, with 44 matches taking place between 1980 to present. Out of these 44 matches, the Broncos have won 11, lost 31 and drawn 2. In this time, the Broncos have accumulated a -625 points difference, scoring 735 points and conceding 1,360.


The first matchup between London and Wigan Warriors took place on the 14th of September 1980, the first game as Craven Cottage (home of Fulham RLFC) which resulted in a London victory, 24-5, in front of an audience of 9,552.

*Fulham RLFC vs Wigan Warriors first encounter, September 14th, 1980.



Wigan Warriors have taken on London in all their forms (Fulham RLFC, Harlequins RL, and the London Broncos) and have played in various stadiums across the UK including Craven Cottage, the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, the Stoop, The Valley, Central Park, the Hive, the DW stadium, Griffin Park, and Ealing Trailfinders. This Saturday shall be the first occasion that these two teams face each other at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in Wimbledon.


London’s biggest win against Wigan came on the 4th of July 1997 with a 38-12 victory at the Stoop in front of a crowd of 7,118. Wigan’s biggest Super League victory against London came on May the 18th, 2013 with a 64-6 win at the Stoop in front of a crowd of 3,594.


Looking back through the years of the Broncos playing against Wigan and looking at Wigan’s recent history, the reality is that this will be one of the Broncos’ most difficult games in 2024. The last time that London came away with a victory vs Wigan was on March 3rd, 2019, at Ealing Trailfinders in front of a 2,586 crowd. Aside from this victory, Wigan have walked away from this fixture as victors on 11 of the last 12 games.


Wigan Warriors Breakdown

Wigan Warriors are one of, if not, the most successful Super League club in history. The club, formed in 1872, is a founding member of the Northern Union and has won 23 League titles, 20 challenge cups, and five World Club Challenges, with the most recent victory coming two weekends ago as the Warriors defeated NRL Champions, Penrith Panthers, 16-12 at the DW Stadium.



Wigan have also had some of the greatest players to play Rugby League, including Jim Sullivan, Martin Offiah, Billy Boston, Shaun Edwards, Ellery Hanley & Mick Sullivan just to name a few.



•Martin Offiah


Honours:

 

RFL Championship: 1909, 1922, 1926, 1934, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1960, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2023.

 

Challenge Cup: 1924, 1929, 1948, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1965, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2011, 2013, 2022.

 

World Club Challenge: 1987, 1991, 1994, 2017, 2024.

 

LONDON BRONCOS v WIGAN WARRIORS


Last ten meetings:


Wigan 18, London Broncos 8 (2/5/19)


London Broncos 18, Wigan 16 (3/3/19)

(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)


London Broncos 6, Wigan 58 (5/7/14)

(at The Hive, Barnet)


Wigan 36, London Broncos 14 (11/4/14)


London Broncos 0, Wigan 70 (Challenge Cup SF, 27/7/13)

(at Leigh Sports Village)


London Broncos 6, Wigan 64 (18/5/13)

(at Twickenham Stoop)


Wigan 48, London Broncos 18 (24/2/13)


London Broncos 6, Wigan 44 (21/7/12)

(at Twickenham Stoop)


Wigan 42, London Broncos 30 (18/3/12)


Harlequins 6, Wigan 38 (9/7/11)

(at Twickenham Stoop)


WILL LOVELL needs one appearance to reach 150 for London Broncos.

- First spell: 2012-2014, 33 appearances

- Debut: Catalans Dragons (MW, Manchester) (L42-18) (Substitute) (27 May, 2012)

- Second spell: 2018-2024, 116 appearances

- Second debut: Barrow Raiders (h) (Ch) (W56-12) (Centre) (4 February, 2018)


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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