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)

HIGHLIGHTS: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Toulouse vs London Broncos You can now watch back the extended highlights of the Championship fixture between Toulouse Olympique and London Broncos at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Ethan Natoli, Huw Worthington and Connor Barley with the Broncos tries. #WeAreLondon

TOULOUSE GALLERY

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
TOULOUSE GALLERY You can now take a look through the best images from the Championship clash with Toulouse at the State Ernest Wallon. Photo credit: David Gibson #WeAreLondon

POST-MATCH REACTION: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
POST-MATCH REACTION: Mike Eccles following narrow Toulouse defeat London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles felt that despite defeat in France to the league leaders Toulouse Olympic, it was a performance with "plenty of positives and lots to build on." The Broncos would twice take the lead in the first-half only to be pegged back on both occasions to go into the break 12-12 but a last minute try from Benjamin Laguerre would seal the points for Sylvain Houles side. Watch the full post-match interview with Mike Eccles below. #WeAreLondon

TEAM NEWS: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
TEAM NEWS: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon’s Championship with Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon. Brandon Webster-Mansfield comes in at centre to make his full debut and Connor O’Beirne returns to the starting line-up following injury. #WeAreLondon

MATCH PREVIEW: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 14 June 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos London Broncos head into one of the stand out fixtures of the season on Sunday when they make the trip to the south of France to take on Toulouse Olympique. Not only is it a visit to the side topping the Championship table but it is also the destination of one of the best days in the club's recent history. Securing promotion against Toulouse in 2023 was the last meeting between the two sides but despite the Broncos coming out on top that day it is the French who will be favourites on Sunday. Broncos come into this game on the back of a losing run but shoots of improvements were clear to see in the narrow defeat to Widnes last time out and will be boosted by the squad named. Squad Information Mike Eccles has named the 21-man travelling party for this weekend’s trip to Toulouse as Brandon Webster-Mansfield is named for the first time since arriving. Alongside Webster-Mansfield we also Liam Tindall and Connor O’Beirne return, coming as a huge boost for the squad. Sam Winney also returns to the 21 for the first time since breaking his jaw in the away game at Barrow. Jack Smith who is on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos also joins the group after scoring two tries on his debut for the club against Widnes Vikings. Lewis Bienek remains the only major absentee however it is hoped he will be fit for the next game at Hunslet.

MATCH PREVIEW: Mike Eccles looks ahead to Toulouse trip

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Mike Eccles looks ahead to Toulouse trip London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles has done his pre-match interview ahead of the trip to Toulouse and has offered a positive update. Liam Tindall and Connor O'Beirne are in contention to play following injuries and Lewis Bienek will hopefully be ready for the next game against Hunslet. Jack Smith, Connor Barley and Kian McDermott and Lukas Mason make up the rest of the squad. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named the 21-man travelling party for this weekend’s trip to Toulouse as Brandon Webster-Mansfield is named for the first time since arriving. Alongside Webster-Mansfield we also Liam Tindall and Connor O’Beirne return, coming as a huge boost for the squad. Sam Winney also returns to the 21 for the first time since breaking his jaw in the away game at Barrow. Jack Smith who is on dual registration from Leeds Rhinos also joins the group after scoring two tries on his debut for the club against Widnes Vikings. Lewis Bienek remains the only major absentee however it is hoped he will be fit for the next game at Hunslet. #WeAreLondon

Toulouse Training Gallery

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
TOULOUSE TRAINING GALLERY The final session with the squad before we fly out to Toulouse on Saturday ahead of Sunday's Championship clash at the State Ernest-Wallon. #WeAreLondon

Half-season Tickets now available!!

by Jake Watson • 12 June 2025
Half-season Tickets now available!! London Broncos are delighted to announce half-season tickets for the remainder of the season which offer huge discounts on buying regular tickets for each game. With just 6 home games remaining a general admission adult season ticket costs just £60 which is a huge 100% saving on buying individual tickets for each game.  Buy from the link below.

Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 10 June 2025
Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos It’s pretty common when we do these articles that there are a number of current players playing for the opposition, but perhaps Sheffield Eagles and Toulouse Olympique win the record for the highest number this season. So, before you all guess these five, Toulouse have 5 players in the current squad who have featured for London Broncos; Paul Ulberg, Ollie Ashall-Bott, Greg Richards, Callum Gahan and Rob Butler. Let’s focus on some of the players that no longer don the colours of either side and their history with us both; Rhys Curran An Aussie born French international, Curran spent two seasons at London Broncos before hanging up his boots. Still residing in London you can regularly expect to see Rhys coming down to The Cherry Red Records to support his former teammates. However, he can count a number of the Toulouse players as former teammates as he spent a very fruitful four seasons playing for the club between 2016 and 2019 and prior to that he played in Elite VIII for Villeneuve. Through residency (living for three years in France) Curran would play three times for the French national team in 2018.
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