One of modern rugby league’s great rivalries will be reignited on Saturday, 26 October, when England’s wheelchair team take on France in the ABK Test series at Robin Park Arena in Wigan for the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy (kick off 2.30pm, local time).
England currently hold the silverware after winning in Marseille last November, but that came only three weeks after France had turned the tables at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Famously, the sides met in front of a record crowd and TV audience at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final in Manchester, England skipper Tom Halliwell’s late try sealing a 28-24 victory. The two nations have shared all four World Cups held since 2008.
France have had a change of head coach and management, with former player/coach Cyril Torres returning to replace Sylvain Crismanovich. “What a great moment, being able to accompany the French team in an international match,” Torres said.
“The fact that it’s against the reigning world champions England adds a pinch of spice! I’m excited to see what our team will be able to bring. I’ve been transparent with my selection based on what we saw during training sessions; our experienced players understand the path we wanted to take straight away. It will take a few months for the group to fully gel with the new staff but I am convinced that it will work. This match will give us the first indications.”
France will be captained by Jérémy Bourson, the current wheelchair Golden Boot holder as best player in the world. Veteran Gilles Clausells noted: “The boys are excited. We met up on Wednesday in Carcassonne to continue the preparation. We still remember the last confrontation against the English in Marseille where we lost. The match will be decided on the smallest of margins I think, but this French team has the means to do something great so we’re going to meet the challenge head on.”
England’s squad contains newcomer Mason Billington from London Roosters, while Halliwell is joined by his Leeds Rhinos teammates, 2024 Wheels of Steel winner Josh Butler and Nathan Collins, player of the match in their Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final win over Halifax Panthers recently.
England Wheelchair head coach, Tom Coyd, commented: “It’s exciting for us to be kicking off the international series this autumn in front of a full house in Wigan. We had two great games with France last year and we learned a lot from the defeat we suffered in our home game in Leeds. Our selection options have been greater than ever this year because of the increased depth and competitiveness of the Betfred Wheelchair Super League, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how we perform.”
“All the squad have been looking forward to this game for months,” added Halliwell. “It’s always a special game when we play France, and that’s only increased since the World Cup with more media coverage and public support. It’s going to be a great weekend of international rugby league in Wigan, and hopefully we can kick things off with an England win.”
ENGLAND SQUAD
Seb Bechara (Catalans Dragons), Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers), Josh Butler, Nathan Collins, Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos), Mason Billington, Joe Coyd, Lewis King (London Roosters), Jack Heggie, Adam Rigby (Wigan Warriors)
FRANCE SQUAD
Jérémy Bourson, Gilles Clausells, Damien Dore, Léo Hivernat, Jonathan Hivernat, Jorge Panzo Gelade, (Dragons Handirugby XIII), Thomas Duhalde, Julien Penella (Aingirak Euskadi), Adrien Zittel (S.O. Avignon Handi)