MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford Bulls vs London Broncos
Jake Watson • 13 February 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford Bulls vs London Broncos
London Broncos kick off a brand new season with an away trip to Bradford Bulls.
London Broncos Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles has urged supporters to stick with the team as it looks to build through the season. In 2024 the team was dogged by a number of significant injuries to key players which thankfully have been avoided this time around.
Pre-season has seen a number of new players joining the team however the ongoing transition with the club has meant that pre-season friendlies have been few and far between. Just the one match prior to this one was a Challenge Cup tie against Goole Vikings which was used as an opportunity to take a closer look at a number of trialists. Since then 3 of those 8 have signed permanent deals.
London Broncos prop Lewis Bienek enjoyed a really strong second half to the Super League season in 2024 demonstrating how impactful he can be in games with his powerful running game.
The 26-year-old missed the first 10 games of last season after picking up a serious ankle injury in a pre-season game and he is excited to be fit for the start this time around;
“It’s massive. Those big injuries are always a setback and you’re just watching from the sidelines which is so frustrating but this time around to be ready for the startline with the rest of the boys is exciting.
“It’s hard to say that I’m a senior player but I suppose I am so it’s now that core group that has been here the last few years to step up.
“We’ve been a good few years now and we know what Mike wants and where he wants to push things so we can show the new players that have come in how to do things.”
Watch the full interview with Lewis Bienek below.
Last ten meetings:
London Broncos 10, Bradford 12 (ChR26, 17/9/23)
Bradford 32, London Broncos 16 (ChR14, 11/6/23)
Bradford 12, London Broncos 30 (ChR19, 16/7/22)
London Broncos 6, Bradford 8 (ChR7, 3/4/22)
London Broncos 8, Bradford 34 (CCR4, 27/2/22)
London Broncos 8, Bradford 33 (ChR7, 23/5/21)
(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
Bradford 14, London Broncos 18 (ChR1, 2/2/20)
(at Tetley's Stadium, Dewsbury)
Bradford 12, London Broncos 56 (ChR14, 21/5/17)
London Broncos 42, Bradford 12 (ChR5, 5/3/17)
(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
London Broncos 30, Bradford 16 (ChR12, 1/5/16)
(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
Watch the highlights from the last win at Odsal in 2022.
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 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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!! 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 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.
