WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH? London Broncos & Sheffield Eagles
Jake Watson • 7 May 2025
WHO HAS PLAYED FOR BOTH: London Broncos and Sheffield Eagles
London Broncos welcome Sheffield Eagles to Rosslyn Park on Sunday in Round 10 of the 2025 Championship season.
The last time the two sides met there were three players who played that day who had played for both sides. They were; Cory Aston, Titus Gwaze and Iliess Macani. Meanwhile, this weekend there could be a number of former Broncos in the Eagles side with; Eddie Battye, Morgan Smith, Reiss Butterworth, Jack Bussey in the squad.
But who else has played for both the Broncos and the Eagles? Take a look at the list we have compiled below and let us know if you can think of any more.
Cory Aston
Sheffield born and a product of the Eagles academy, across three spells at the club has played almost 200 times and scored over 1000 points securing his status as a club legend. Also, son of the former head coach Mark Aston, who is also a club legend, the Aston name is synonymous with Sheffield Eagles. What is probably lesser known by the career of Cory is his 13 game spell at London Broncos in 2020. It was a short spell before deciding to return up north with Halifax Panthers before returning to Sheffield where he still remains.
Darren Shaw
The Australian born Scotland international had two spells with London Broncos but played the majority of his rugby in Sheffield and Castleford. Shaw spent a season in London in 95 before returning to Australia to play for Canberra but it was to be a short spell before the lure of England was too strong. He would play for Sheffield in 1998 and play in the Challenge Cup final as they would famously beat Wigan at Wembley. Following a two year spell in Sheffield he would move on to Castleford for two seasons before returning to London for a second spell. Following his playing career he has since coached Rochdale Hornets and Leigh Centurions.
Nick Halafihi
A famous name in Rugby League and also one that is particularly synonymous with Sheffield. Nick’s dad Nan Halafihi became the first Tongan to play at Wembley when he played for Hull FC in the 1960 Challenge Cup Final. Nick would go on to play 4 seasons with Sheffield and his son Vila also represented the club. Despite his years in Sheffield, Nick would play two seasons for London Crusaders and the 92/93 season was arguably the best of his career. Following his spell in London he would go on to play for Hull KR before retiring in 1995.
Scott Wheeldon
The Hull born prop is perhaps best known for his time playing for both Hull sides between 2006 and 2012 however Wheeldon would spend one season in London playing for both Broncos and Skolars before enjoying two spells in Sheffield later in his career. Twice a Challenge Cup finalist, Wheeldon was on the losing side for FC in 2006 and then for Castleford in 2014. Prior to joining the Tigers, Wheeldon would spend two years at London Broncos and even a one game loan at Skolars. Now 39, Wheeldon would spend three seasons, either side of a year at Featherstone, playing for Sheffield Eagles.
Iliess Macani
A recent Broncos legend with 68 tries in 140 appearances so you need little recap of Macani’s success in London. In between his two spells in London, Macani spent a season in Sheffield and also in Bradford. Whilst not as prolific as his time in a Broncos shirt it was still a very healthy return with 8 tries in 17 appearances.
Tickets for this game are being offered at a reduced price for a league fixture at the following;
ADULTS - £15
CONCESSION - £10
KIDS - FREE!!!
To secure your tickets for the game click the button below.
The Best of North London vs the Best of South London - U14s & U16s!
TUESDAY TRIVIA REVEAL! A reminder of your three clues and pictures for today's trivia with the answer revealed at the bottom of the page. Clue 1 - Here I am celebrating a try with Siri Mociedreke and Will Lovell 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
