London Broncos & Catalans Dragons - who has played for both?

Jake Watson • 1 August 2024

London Broncos & Catalans Dragons - who has played for both?


Jordan Abdull


A current Catalans player but also a player that will bring back many fond memories of his one year (2019) at London Broncos. Jordan was born in Hull and started his playing career as a Black & White in 2014 but even in his early stages of his career he wasn’t afraid to make bold decisions - going on loan to the Robins in East Hull on loan. It was this season (2018) in the Championship that Abdull’s talent began to shine through and then came a move to newly promoted London Broncos in the Super League in 2019. It was a season that ended in heartbreak for the Broncos as they were relegated from Super League on points difference however Abdull shone once more, scoring 10 tries in 28 games.


Abdull would be on the move once more at the end of 2019 and headed back to Hull and this time a permanent move to Hull KR. Abdull spent three seasons at Craven Park before a surprise loan move to Catalans Dragons materialised. It was recently announced that Abdull will return to Hull for 2025 but will once again be wearing Black & White. 


Eloi Pellisier


Eloi is a man who was a Catalans stalwart for a number of years after breaking through and establishing himself as the clubs hooker in 2011. Pellisier enjoyed 5 years in Perpignan going on to play 155 times scoring 27 tries in his time at the club. Pellisier moved to Leigh Centurions in 2017 before moving back to France with Lezignan Sangliers. A move to capital and London Broncos came in 2018 where he would spend 2 years - playing 27 times and scoring 5 tries. Pellisier moved back to France and with Toulouse in 2021 where he is still playing.


Dean Whare


A brief but memorable stint in London for Dean in 2023 helped us secure promotion back to Super League. Whare is best known for his time at Penrith Panthers where he established himself as one of the best centre’s in the NRL - playing for both Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers. After a number of seasons playing in the NRL finals Whare moved to Catalans Dragons in 2021 seeking an opportunity to play Super League rugby.


His time in France was a memorable one where he would play 38 times scoring 6 tries but helping the Perpignan club to the Grand Final. Whare would play in that game but they would lose to St Helens at Old Trafford. Whare left Catalans that summer but stayed in France signing for Pia Donkeys but played just 9 times before joining the London Broncos. Dean would score 12 tries in just 13 games proving to be a key player as promotion from the Championship was secured in Toulouse in the Million Pound Game.


Romain Navarette 


The Frenchman is still playing for Catalans Dragons but has enjoyed a career which has taken him to many clubs. Starting his career in France with both Pia Donkeys and Limoux Grizzlies before a surprise move to play in England with Hemel Stags in League 1 in 2014. Navarette would join Catalans Dragons, for his first spell and initially with the clubs development side Saint Esteve, in 2015 but would play just a handful of times for the first team before securing a move to Wigan Warriors. He would play 60 times for Wigan during a three year spell but would also have loans at; Swinton and Wakefield. 


Navarette then joined London Broncos in the Championship in 2021 and would play for just one season playing 11 times and scoring 2 tries. Following this year a move back to France with Toulouse and then back to Catalans where he is still playing.


Ugo Tison


The final player to be featured on this list but this time it is a current London Broncos player. Ugo is still in the early stages of his career but has impressed during his time in London. The 23 year old began is career in the Catalans Dragons feeder team Saint-Esteve where he would feature regularly for a couple of seasons before getting his opportunity to play for Catalans in 2022 making his debut against Wigan Warriors. Ugo would make his international debut the following season in 2023 against England at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Ugo had loan spells at Toulouse and Wakefield before then initially joining London Broncos on loan in March of 2024. After impressing the deal was made permanent and Ugo is set to feature against his former club this weekend. See his interview after permanently joining the London Broncos below.

Other players who have played for both: Mike McMeeken, William Barthau, Julian Rinaldi, Ben Fisher, Ben Farrar

HIGHLIGHTS: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
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TOULOUSE GALLERY

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
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by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
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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
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SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulouse Olympique vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
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Toulouse Training Gallery

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
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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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