Preview: 2024 Super League Round 1: St Helens Saints vs London Broncos

James Booth • 15 February 2024

The London Broncos begin their highly anticipated return to the Super League with a trip up to the Totally Wicked Stadium to face off against one of Super League’s most successful teams, St Helens Saints.


This is the first fixture since 2019 that the London Broncos have had in the Super League and after many months of patience and excitement, the Broncos’ Super League story is about to get underway!

 

To prepare themselves for the big season ahead, the Broncos have played in 3 pre-season matches against League one side Oldham (18-18 draw) and Super League sides Castleford Tigers (14-14 draw) & Huddersfield Giants (lost 50-16). Despite not claiming a victory ahead of the new season, Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles does not seem concerned, stating that “We have learnt a lot of lessons in all three games. It was always going to be three tough away games and that has been what’s needed to ready us”.

 

St Helen’s have played two pre-season games in the build up to their 2024 Super League campaign, losing one to Swinton (18-28) and winning the other vs Salford Red Devils (52-10).

 

Speaking on our Round 1 matchup, Director of Rugby & Performance Mike Eccles had this to say:

 

“There has been a massive buzz around the place this week.

 

“I don’t think there is any pressure on us, no one is expecting anything from us, but we have higher expectations than that inside the camp.

 

“We are going to compete really hard every play of the game, every week.

 

“Internally we have a high purpose, irrelevant of what is said externally so there will be no dangers that we will compete really hard”.

 

As well as being the exciting start of the 2024 Super League campaign for the London Broncos, this fixture has also provided an opportunity for many London players to achieve a great career milestone by making their Super League debuts. Oli Leyland, Iliess Macani, Jack Campagnolo, Robbie Storey, Jordan Williams, Marcus Stock, Jack Hughes, Jensen Monk, Dean Parata, Emmanuel Waine, Jarred Bassett & Dan Hoyes are all players in contention to make their Super League debut tomorrow and etch their name into Super League history. They are all players to keep an eye on tomorrow night as they look to make an impression in one of the biggest games of their careers so far!

 

St Helens had a very successful 2023 Super League season, finishing 3rd in the regular season with a record of 20 wins and 7 losses, losing 12-6 to our Round 2 opponent, Catalan Dragons, in the Super League semi-final. After winning the Super League in 2022, St Helens also won the 2023 World Club Challenge after beating reigning NRL Champions Penrith Panthers 13-12 at the BlueBet Stadium in Sydney.

 

After what feels like an eternity to wait since our historic Grand Final victory last year, the London Broncos are finally ready to make their return to Super League! If you are not with us on the journey up to St Helens tomorrow, you can watch the game on either Sky Sports mix OR on Super League +. You can sign up to Super League+ for the game tomorrow or for the season by clicking here now!

WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & York Knights

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
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!

by Jake Watson • 1 May 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 30 April 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
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!!

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
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!

by Jake Watson • 29 April 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 28 April 2025
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

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by Jake Watson • 28 April 2025
HIGHLIGHTS: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos You can now watch the highlights from the Round 8 Championship clash with Halifax Panthers below. #WeAreLondon

GALLERY: Halifax Panthers vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 28 April 2025
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
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