Will Lovell: “This is nothing we haven’t been through before. We dust ourselves off and we get ready for the new season.”

Jake Watson • 22 December 2024

Will Lovell: “This is nothing we haven’t been through before. We dust ourselves off and we get ready for the new season.”


London Broncos captain Will Lovell has issued a rallying call ahead of the new season getting underway in January.


Now 31, Will has been with the club since the age of 16 and has played 173 times for the club, winning two Championship titles along the way. The Northampton born second rower has seen it all in his time at the club and believes that despite the uncertainty surrounding the club, it will come through the other side.



Speaking to London Broncos media Lovell said it was good news that the club were able to secure some experienced players for the upcoming season;


“It’s really good to have those boys on board; Alex, Lewis, Sid and Stocky. Keeping that core rotation of players that know the club and its values and what it offers. 


“I’m really happy the club has come through what would be probably a little bit of a difficult period but it is not anything we haven’t been through before. We dust ourselves off and we are ready to go for the new season.”



In the 2024 Super League season the club and players were full-time however, due largely to the IMG grading condemning the club to effective relegation before the season started, it opted to allow some players to stay part-time. One of those part-time players was Lovell who combined captaining the club with being a school teacher. Combining the two would be a challenge for anyone but in the 2024 season Lovell would play in every single Super League game and was ranked 2nd in the entire league for tackles made.


Lovell says that despite his advancing years he is feeling fitter than ever;


“I’ve come back a little bit lighter this year (for pre-season). As you get older you need to look after the body a little bit more. 


“It’s something that I pride myself on being fit and I know as a right-sided back rower you’re to be in and amongst it for the large majority of the games. It was quite an accolade to see myself up there (tackling stats) and obviously bitterly disappointed with how that season ended but I say that with a lot of pride because as a team I feel we achieved a lot last season.”


2025 could be a big season on a personal level for Lovell as he eyes up the record for London Broncos appearances. He is currently 4th-all-time on 173 with Steele Retchless number 1 with 202 appearances.


If Lovell was to feature in all league games next season and appear in any cup and play-off games he could take that top spot. With teammate Alex Walker just behind him on 170, Lovell admits it’s something they both want to achieve;


“I can’t lie, it’s something that’s out there. It’s something I’ve now looked at and what a great achievement that would be, whether it's me or Alex that does that I will be made up. I remember Alex coming through for his first game and I remember back to me as a young 16-year-old coming down to London I never would have dreamed to have made this many appearances for the club. I’m very humble and very proud to represent this club in the way that I do.”


Will Lovell is sponsored by Rob & Mandy Smith

HIGHLIGHTS: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 16 June 2025
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: Toulouse vs London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 15 June 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 14 June 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
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

by Jake Watson • 13 June 2025
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

Half-season Tickets now available!!

by Jake Watson • 12 June 2025
Half-season Tickets now available!! London Broncos are delighted to announce half-season tickets for the remainder of the season which offer huge discounts on buying regular tickets for each game. With just 6 home games remaining a general admission adult season ticket costs just £60 which is a huge 100% saving on buying individual tickets for each game.  Buy from the link below.

Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos

by Jake Watson • 10 June 2025
Who has played for both? Toulouse Olympique & London Broncos It’s pretty common when we do these articles that there are a number of current players playing for the opposition, but perhaps Sheffield Eagles and Toulouse Olympique win the record for the highest number this season. So, before you all guess these five, Toulouse have 5 players in the current squad who have featured for London Broncos; Paul Ulberg, Ollie Ashall-Bott, Greg Richards, Callum Gahan and Rob Butler. Let’s focus on some of the players that no longer don the colours of either side and their history with us both; Rhys Curran An Aussie born French international, Curran spent two seasons at London Broncos before hanging up his boots. Still residing in London you can regularly expect to see Rhys coming down to The Cherry Red Records to support his former teammates. However, he can count a number of the Toulouse players as former teammates as he spent a very fruitful four seasons playing for the club between 2016 and 2019 and prior to that he played in Elite VIII for Villeneuve. Through residency (living for three years in France) Curran would play three times for the French national team in 2018.
More posts