MATCH PREVIEW: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos
Jake Watson • 24 April 2025
MATCH PREVIEW: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos
London Broncos will be looking to upset the odds on Sunday when they make the trip to the league leaders Halifax Panthers in round 8 of the Championship season.
Kyle Eastmond’s side have been somewhat of a surprise package so far this season winning 6 of their opening 7 games to lead at this early stage. The Broncos meanwhile, have had an indifferent start with Mike Eccles operating with one of the smallest squads in the division.
Last week Broncos came out on the wrong side of the battle at Barrow, another side who are fighting at the top end so far. It was a game that came at an extra cost as Jenson Binks and Sam Winney picked up injuries that will rule them out for this weekend at the very least.
In positive news Louix Gorman, from Hull KR, remains with the squad after making his debut in the previous game and Emmanuel Waine has joined on loan from Bradford Bulls for the next two weeks.
The squad selected by Mike Eccles is available to view below.
PRE-MATCH INTEVIEWS
Luke Polselli has been a shining light during the early stages of his London Broncos career. The Italian international has produced some all action displays and scored a number of tries.
We caught up with Polselli about the start to his Broncos career and the challenge of Halifax this weekend.
ONE TO WATCH
Louis Jouffret has been Halifax’s go-to-man ever since joining the club back in 2022 and is now just 16 points off from 1,000 for his career. Despite it feeling like the French half has been around forever he is still only 29-years-old and pulling the strings for the current table toppers.
THE STATS
Halifax have won their last six home meetings with London Broncos.
The capital sides' last victory at The Shay was 41-22 on 24 July, 2016.
Last ten meetings:
London Broncos 26, Halifax 12 (ChR22, 20/8/23)
London Broncos 6, Halifax 10 (1895C-SF, 22/7/23)
(at The Rock, Roehampton)
Halifax 26, London Broncos 18 (ChR3, 19/2/23)
London Broncos 38, Halifax 10 (ChR20, 24/7/22)
Halifax 28, London Broncos 0 (ChR2, 6/2/22)
Halifax 47, London Broncos 14 (ChR1, 2/4/21)
Halifax 24, London Broncos 16 (CCR5, 11/4/19)
London Broncos 23, Halifax 16 (S8Q-R7, 29/9/18)
(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
London Broncos 20, Halifax 18 (ChR21, 15/7/18)
(at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
Halifax 26, London Broncos 16 (ChR10, 8/4/18)
BEN CROOKS needs one appearance to reach 250 for his career.
- 31 for Halifax Panthers (2023-2025)
- 8 for Keighley Cougars (2023)
- 80 for Hull KR (2018-2022)
- 48 for Leigh Centurions (2017-2018)
- 28 for Castleford Tigers (2016)
- 51 for Hull FC (2012-2014)
- 3 for Doncaster (2014, dual-registration)
LOUIS JOUFFRET needs 16 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
- 587 for Halifax Panthers (2022-2025)
- 226 for Whitehaven (2015-2016, 2021)
- 8 for Featherstone Rovers (2020)
- 151 for Batley Bulldogs (2018-2019)
- 8 for Toulouse Olympique (2017)
- 4 for France (2023-2024)
ALEX WALKER needs two tries to reach 100 for his career.
- 81 for London Broncos (2014-2019, 2022-2025)
- 7 for Featherstone Rovers (2021, loan)
- 2 for Wakefield Trinity (2020-2021)
- 6 for London Skolars (2016, dual-registration)
- 2 for Scotland (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021-2022)
(0 for Hemel Stags, 2016, loan)
LAST WIN AT THE SHAY
It has been a little while since the last time London Broncos tasted victory at The Shay. In fact you have to go back to 2016 when Broncos won 22-41 and you can watch the highlights from that game below.
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.
INTERVIEW: Dan Okoro joins on loan Warrington Wolves prop Dan Okoro has joined the club on loan until the end of the season and believes the club is a good fit for him as he looks to gain some all important game-time. The 22-year-old Hull KR academy product has had numerous stints on loan in the Championship, particularly impressing whilst at Bradford which earned him his move to Warrington. Watch the full interview with Dan below.
INTERVIEW: Brandon Webster-Mansfield London Broncos media caught up with in-form centre Brandon Webster-Mansfield ahead of Sunday's trip to Featherstone Rovers. The 23-year-old Aussie has made an instant impact since joining the club and has been named in the most recent Rugby League World Team of The Month. Watch the full interview below plus keep scrolling to watch some of his highlights as he promises "there is more to come."
