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.
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 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! 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 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 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!! 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! 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 You can now watch back the full 80 minutes of London Broncos Championship trip to Halifax at The Shay. #WeAreLondon
HIGHLIGHTS: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos You can now watch the highlights from the Round 8 Championship clash with Halifax Panthers below. #WeAreLondon
MATCH GALLERY: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos Another tough afternoon on the road for Mike Eccles' side as they lost to Halifax Panthers at The Shay. You can now take a look at the best images from the day below. Credit: Simon Hall #WeAreLondon
