The England Wheelchair team delighted fans in Manchester on Saturday when Head Coach, Tom Coyd, led players in an open training session at the National Cycling Centre as the squad prepares for a mouthwatering World Cup Final rematch against France.
The reigning world champions will return to action for the first time since their dramatic 28-24 triumph against the French at the first direct Arena in Leeds on Sunday November 5 (KO 3.15pm) with live and exclusive coverage on BBC 2.
Eight places are available in the England Wheelchair squad this Autumn and Saturday provided a final chance for players to impress Coyd in person before his attention turns to guiding London Roosters to the Betfred Wheelchair Super League play-offs and Grand Final.
All six Super League teams are currently represented amongst the squad, alongside Gravesend Dynamites Jason Owen, who’s earned his first international call-up after a standout performance in the Wheelchair Trophy Final against Sheffield Eagles in August.
England Wheelchair Head Coach, Tom Coyd MBE, says:
“We’re heading into an international test match that will be a high pressure environment and we tried to replicate that by having an open session where the players knew they were being judged on one performance and I think everyone really stepped up.
“The World Cup Final was the first time we had played France in a while, and I don’t think they were prepared for how much we had evolved so I think they will feel more prepared for the fixture in Leeds. I think they’ll counterattack what we were good at in the final but we’re a young squad that is constantly improving so I think we will still give them a tough game.”
Wheelchair Rugby League captivated the nation during RLWC21 and Coyd is keen to continue building on that legacy with open training sessions up until the next World Cup in 2026.
He continued: “We’re still in the building phase of Wheelchair Rugby League so I think it’s really important that we continue these open sessions to make sure fans feel connected to the team and so that people involved at a grassroots level can see there is a clear pathway to representing England.”
England Wheelchair captain and Leeds Rhinos player, Tom Halliwell OBE, explains:
“I think this match is going to be much harder than the World Cup Final – it’s been a while since then and I think they’ll be coming out firing with even more incentive to beat us. We’ve just got to be prepared for anything and everything that they throw at us.”
“I’d heard whispers about the fixture being held at the first direct Arena and I didn’t believe them. Being a Leeds lad I was so excited when it was confirmed, I’ve been to the venue so many times for different concerts and events and now getting perform their myself is a pinch me moment.
“I’m really looking forward to the game and hopefully I get to captain my country in my hometown – it will be an occasion I will never forget.”
The Wheelchair International will mean three England teams in action in Leeds on a single weekend, as it follows the double header at Headingley on Saturday November 4, when England Women take on Wales followed by the third and final Test of the men’s series against Tonga.
Tickets are on sale at Tickets (rugby-league.com) – and with the aim of celebrating England’s World Cup winners, and packing out the first direct Arena to match the intense atmosphere of the World Cup Final, prices have been set at only £10 Adults, £7.50 Concessions and £5 Under 16s.
