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.
2 FOR 1 TICKET OFFER!! London Broncos are pleased to announce a fantastic ticket initiative for our upcoming home games with Oldham RLFC and Bradford Bulls. As we look to finish the season as strongly as possible we are encouraging our supporters to get down to The Cherry Red Records in their numbers to get behind the team. For all supporters who buy a ticket for our last home game against Bradford on September 6th between now and 18th August you will receive a FREE ticket for our home game against Oldham RLFC.
Iliess Macani in the Legends Lounge! London Broncos are delighted to announce Iliess Macani will be our special guest for the upcoming home game against Toulouse Olympique on August 10th (1pm KO). The Tottenham born winger played 140 times for the club scoring 68 tries - ranking him 8th all time for the club.
IT'S GAMEWEEK!! London Broncos return to The Cherry Red Records on Sunday for the first time since the game with Widnes Vikings on May 31st. Mike Eccles side now have four remaining home league games in Wimbledon and are calling on the support of our fantastic supporters to help us finish the season strongly. Hospitality tickets for the 'Legends Lounge' & 'Broncos Bar' can be purchased from the link below.
HIGHLIGHTS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos London Broncos travelled up to Featherstone Rovers in a Championship fixture between two of the in-form sides in the division. To watch back full extended highlights of the game watch the video below or head to our YouTube channel to watch the full game back.
EMILIA'S BIG DAY It's not long now until we welcome Emilia and DKMS to The Cherry Red Records Stadium for her big day! - London Broncos will host ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ to celebrate young cancer survivor whose life was saved by a stem cell donor. - Supporters can join the stem cell donor register with a simple mouth swab - This is part of a partnership with DKMS : inspired by lifelong rugby league fan whose baby son needed a stem cell transplant. ‘Emilia’s Big Day’ is a major peak in a partnership between Broncos and DKMS, which encourages rugby fans to become potential lifesavers by joining the stem cell donor register. Emilia Mackay, 7, was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder, and required weekly blood and platelet transfusions just to survive. Doctors said that she needed a stem cell transplant, but unfortunately, no one in her family was a match, so a global search began to find a stranger who could save her life. Emilia’s dad, James Mackay, says, “As a parent, my child being diagnosed with such a serious illness was my worst nightmare. When we knew that Emilia’s future would rely on someone from the stem cell donor register, it was terrifying.” Fortunately for Emilia, a stranger in Germany had signed up to the DKMS donor register and was identified as a match. They agreed to donate their stem cells, which were then flown to the UK before being quickly transferred to the hospital where Emilia was being cared for. Emilia is now in remission, and since her transplant at the end of 2023, she has been thriving. James says, “Emilia’s donor changed everything for us. It’s obviously very emotional; the kindness of a random stranger means that my daughter has been given another chance at life. We’re so happy that she is well enough to do the things she loves, and that we can attend rugby games as a family. We are so excited for the event with Broncos and DKMS -- we won’t just be celebrating Emilia, we’ll also be adding more people to the register so that more patients like her can get a second chance at life”.
MATCH GALLERY: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos It was a frustrating afternoon as the Broncos were beaten by Featherstone Roves at the Millennium Stadium. Marcus Stock and Alex Walker had given the Broncos the lead at half-time but Rovers proved too strong in the second half running out eventual 36-18 winners. #WeAreLondon
POST-MATCH REACTION: Eccles reacts to Featherstone defeat London Broncos head coach Mike Eccles bemoaned a lack of experience and getting some tough officiating calls as they went down 36-18 to Featherstone Rovers. The Broncos had led 12-4 at the break but the home side used the hill to their advantage in the second half and proved too strong. Watch the full interview with Mike below. #WeAreLondon

TEAM NEWS: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Here is your starting line-up for this afternoon's Round 19 Championship fixture with Featherstone Rovers at the Millennium Stadium. There is just one change to the starting 13 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week as Aaron Small comes in for Louix Gorman. Dan Okoro is named as an interchange after joining from Warrington Wolves on loan. #WeAreLondon

MATCH PREVIEW: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos We move into Round 19 of the Championship season on Sunday with another away trip as this week we head to Featherstone Rovers. This will be the third time the two sides have met this season after Broncos won the home league game before Rovers were to take the win in the 1895 Cup Quarter Final. Mike Eccles side will come into the game in good form having won 48-6 at the weekend against Sheffield and now three wins from the last four games. SQUAD INFO Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There are only two changes to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Featherstone Rovers vs London Broncos Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad to head to Featherstone Rovers in this weekend’s Round 19 Championship clash. The Broncos come into the game in good form having won 3 of the last 4 league games and will be looking to close the gap on the hosts who currently sit above them in the table. There is only two change to the 21 that beat Sheffield Eagles last week Huw Worthington is unavailable after failing his HIA last weekend. Meanwhile, Dan Okoro, who has joined on loan from Warrington Wolves, replaces Louix Gorman who is unavailable from Hull KR this weekend.