...with Jack Brown to be vice captain on four-match trip!
Lewis King has been chosen to lead England Wheelchair on this autumn’s tour of Australia.
The 40-year-old London Roosters star, a World Cup winner with England in 2022, takes over from Tom Halliwell OBE, who has been ruled out by a shoulder injury.
Jack Brown of Halifax Panthers has been confirmed as vice captain.
England Wheelchair head coach Tom Coyd MBE confirmed King’s appointment this morning as the National Performance Squad gathered for a training day at the FA’s Performance and Training Centre at St George’s Park.
“To tell Lewis King that he will captain his country was an immense privilege for me,” said Coyd.
“The journey he has been on since suffering a life-changing injury 16 years ago is inspirational.
“Like me, he is from Kent, well outside the traditional Rugby League heartlands – it’s quite a moment to appoint an England Rugby League captain from Dartford.
“But there is no question in my mind that he richly deserves the honour, and will lead the team with commitment and class – and more importantly, I make the appointment in the knowledge that all our players feel the same way.
“I’m excited about his leadership combination with Jack Brown, who has been such a key figure in the England Wheelchair set-up for so long.
“Both Lewis and Jack would join me in sending our best wishes to Tom Halliwell who has had such a difficult year with his shoulder – but I know Tom is determined to come back with a bang next year as we look ahead to defending our World Cup title in Australia.”
Lewis King said:
“Wheelchair Rugby League has given me so many incredible moments since I discovered the sport, and captaining my country in Australia is going to be the greatest honour.
“It’s six years since our last trip but the memories are still fresh, and now the 10 of us who are lucky enough to have been selected for this tour have the chance to make some more.
“Wheelchair Rugby League is a special sport and the England squad are a special group, so being appointed as captain is just incredible – especially for a bloke from Dartford who wouldn’t have known anything about Rugby League growing up.
“Every single person in the National Performance Squad has contributed to the leadership skills I’ve learned over the years – it’s my duty to repay them by being the best captain I can be.”
King was diagnosed with a blood clot on his spine at the age of 24 in 2009, requiring a 21-hour emergency operation which left him partially paralysed.
He began playing Wheelchair Rugby League with the Dartford-based Argonauts club in 2016, and made such an impact that he was soon fast-tracked to the England squad.
He scored a try in England’s World Cup Final win against France at Manchester Central in 2022, and the following year was the inaugural winner of the Wheels of Steel award presented to the outstanding player in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League season – receiving his award from Rugby League legend and three-time Man of Steel winner Ellery Hanley MBE.
England leave for Australia on October 19 and play State games against New South Wales on October 24 and Queensland three days later before two Tests against the Australia Wheelaroos, both on the Gold Coast, on October 30 and November 2.
Tom Coyd named a 10-strong squad last month including seven of the 2022 World Cup winners and two uncapped players – Luis Domingos of Castleford Tigers, and Finlay O’Neill of Halifax Panthers.
Lewis King has England Wheelchair Heritage Number 35, having won 18 caps since making his debut in June 2019.
Jack Brown has England Wheelchair Heritage Number 6, having been one of the pioneers who played in the first international in June 2006, and now has 34 caps.
England Wheelchair squad for Ashes tour:
Seb Bechara (Catalans Dragons)
Mason Billington (London Roosters)
Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers)
Jack Brown (Halifax Panthers)
Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos)
Joe Coyd (London Roosters)
Luis Domingos (Castleford Tigers)
Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers)
Lewis King (London Roosters)
Finlay O’Neill (Halifax Panthers)
