England national wheelchair rugby league team

Last updated

England
Team information
Governing body Rugby Football League
Region Europe
IRL ranking 1st
Team results
World Cup
Appearances4 (first time in 2008 )
Best resultWinners (2008, 2021)

The England national wheelchair rugby league team represents England in wheelchair rugby league. The team have played in all four World Cup tournaments, winning both the inaugural competition in 2008 [1] and the 2021 edition on home soil, [2] and being runners up in both 2013 and 2017. [3] [4] They also won the 2015 European Wheelchair Rugby League Championship. [5]

Contents

Wheelchair rugby league was introduced to England in July 2005 when a team from France toured Yorkshire. On 4 May 2006, the Rugby League International Federation accepted a proposal by France to endorse wheelchair rugby league. Later that month a team representing Great Britain began a tour of France and played the first official test match on 3 June 2006 losing 20–6 to their hosts. [6] The England team was established in 2007 under the auspices of the British Wheelchair Tag Rugby League Association and played its first test match, against France the same year. [7] [8]

The team are sponsored by Betfred in a two-year deal signed in 2022 that included the wheelchair, men's and women's teams. [9] They train at facilities including Calderdale College in Halifax [10] and St George's Park National Football Centre. [11]

Current squad

Squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). [12]

Competitive record

England wheelchair rugby league team celebrating at Old Trafford in 2022 England wheelchair rugby league team celebrating at Old Trafford.jpg
England wheelchair rugby league team celebrating at Old Trafford in 2022
World Cup Record
YearFinish
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2008 Champions
Flag of England.svg 2013 Runners-up
Flag of France.svg 2017 Runners-up
Flag of England.svg 2021 Champions

Results

DateOpponentScoreCompetitionVenueAttendanceRef.
2007 Flag of France.svg France ?–?FriendlyHarrow, London [8]
7 November 2008Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 34–26 2008 Rugby League World Cup Group Stage [13] Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen [14] [15]
10 November 2008Barbarians [lower-alpha 1] 72–4Mount Druitt, Sydney [16]
12 November 2008 Flag of France.svg France26–18Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen [17] [18]
14 November 2008Barbarians [lower-alpha 1] 66–0 2008 Rugby League World Cup Semi Final Whitlam Centre, Sydney [19]
17 November 2008Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 44–12 2008 Rugby League World Cup FinalBetts Stadium, Sydney [20] [21]
28 August 2009 Flag of France.svg France36–38Friendly Brunel University, London [17] [22]
16 October 2010 Flag of France.svg France34–44FriendlyCahors1,060 [23]
8 October 2011 Flag of France.svg France34–32Friendly Leigh Sports Village, Leigh [24]
7 July 2012Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 34–122012 Four Nations [25] Hull [26]
7 July 2012Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 34–0 [27] [28]
8 July 2012Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 50–0 [29]
27 August 2012 Flag of France.svg France22–43Friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy Medway Park, Gillingham 700 [30] [31]
3 July 2013 Flag of France.svg France20–28 2013 Rugby League World Cup Group Stage Medway Park, Gillingham [32] [33]
6 July 2013Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 86–8 [32] [34]
9 July 2013Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 50–6 [32] [35]
11 July 2013Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 81–10 2013 Rugby League World Cup Semi Final [32] [36]
13 July 2013 Flag of France.svg France40–42 2013 Rugby League World Cup Final [37]
9 May 2014 Flag of France.svg France46–64Friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy Kindarena, Rouen2,700 [38] [39]
13 September 2014Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 104–142014 Four Nations [40] Medway Park, Gillingham [41]
September 2014Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 54–2
14 September 2014Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 80–6 [42]
23 September 2015 Flag of France.svg France56–26Friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy Medway Park, Gillingham [43]
24 September 2015 Flag of France.svg France24–262015 Rugby League European Championship Group Stage Medway Park, Gillingham [44]
25 September 2015 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 56–8 [45]
25 September 2015Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 66–16 [46]
25 September 2015Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 102–0 [47]
26 September 2015 Flag of France.svg France28–242015 Rugby League European Championship Final [5]
24 September 2016Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 90–102016 Four Nations [48] Mayfield Sports Centre, Rochdale [49]
24 September 2016Exiles [lower-alpha 2] 94–0 [49]
25 September 2016Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 56–14 [51]
25 September 2016Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 52–26 [52]
20 July 2017 Flag of France.svg France31–71 2017 Rugby League World Cup Group StageHalle aux Sport, Carcassonne [32]
22 July 2017Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 78–32Complexe La Rijole, Pamiers [32]
24 July 2017Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 80–26Gymnase du Lac, Saint-Jory [32]
26 July 2017Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 76–24 2017 Rugby League World Cup Semi FinalGymnase Compans Cafferlli, Toulouse [32]
28 July 2017 Flag of France.svg France34–38 2017 Rugby League World Cup FinalParc des Expositions, Perpignan [32]
21 June 2019 Flag of France.svg France31–25Two match series friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy Gymnase M. Guigou, Apt [53] [54]
23 June 2019 Flag of France.svg France46–50 Palais des Sports de Toulon [55]
28 September 2019Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 48–242019 Tri-Nations [56] Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Wrexham [57]
28 September 2019Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 136–1 [58]
29 September 2019Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 54–40 [59]
21 October 2019Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 84–28Ashes Test series Whitlam Leisure Centre, Sydney [60] [61]
23 October 2019Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 58–50University of Wollongong, Wollongong [60] [61]
26 June 2021Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 102–22Friendly English Institute of Sport, Sheffield [62]
10 November 2021 Flag of France.svg France24–49Two match series friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy [63] Medway Park, Gillingham [64]
13 November 2021 Flag of France.svg France26–39 [65]
19 June 2022 Flag of France.svg France62–48Friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy National Basketball Centre, Manchester [66]
3 November 2022Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 38–8 2021 Rugby League World Cup Group Stage Copper Box, London 3,033 [67]
6 November 2022 Flag of Spain.svg Spain104–123,268 [68]
9 November 2022Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 121–03,847 [69]
13 November 2022Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 125–22 2021 Rugby League World Cup Semi Final English Institute of Sport, Sheffield 1,318 [70]
18 November 2022 Flag of France.svg France28–24 2021 Rugby League World Cup final Manchester Central, Manchester 4,526 [71]
5 November 2023 Flag of France.svg France34–43Two match series friendly: Fassolette-Kielty Trophy Leeds Arena, Leeds 2,373 [72]
25 November 2023 Flag of France.svg France34–18 Palais des Sports, Marseille [73]

Records and statistics

IRL Wheelchair World Rankings
Official rankings as of December 2023
RankChangeTeamPts %
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 100
2Steady2.svg Flag of France.svg France88
3Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 59
4Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 48
5Steady2.svgFour Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 42
6Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 31
7Steady2.svg Flag of Spain.svg Spain22
8Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19
9Steady2.svg Flag of Italy.svg Italy0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

The team has only ever lost to France, the originators of the wheelchair game. England's biggest defeat was 31–71 on 20 July 2017.

England's biggest win was 136–1 over Scotland on 28 September 2019; their biggest win without conceding was 121–0 over Ireland on 9 November 2022.

Honours

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 The Barbarians/Pacific Islands were a replacement team due to New Zealand withdrawing from the 2008 World Cup [14]
  2. ↑ The Exiles were a mix of Irish, Welsh and English players as Ireland were unable to travel with a full side to the 2016 Four Nations [50]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greece national rugby league team</span>

The Greece national rugby league team represents Greece in rugby league. The team has been participating in international competition since 2003.

Wheelchair rugby league is a wheelchair-based version of rugby league football, one of two recognised disability versions of the sport. It was developed in France in 2000. Unlike other wheelchair sports, people without disabilities are allowed to compete in top-level competition. The sport is also unique in the fact that men and women of any age can play against each other in top-level competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby League World Cup</span> International rugby league football tournament

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league tournament contested by the top national men's representative teams. The tournament is administered by the International Rugby League and was first held in France in 1954, which was the first World Cup held for any form of rugby football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Festival of World Cups</span>

The 2008 Festival of World Cups was a series of rugby league world cupss held in Australia during 2008. The festival was staged in concurrence with the 2008 Men's Rugby League World Cup also in Australia and coincided with the centenary of rugby league celebrations in Australia.

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup is an international wheelchair rugby league tournament contested by the top national teams. The tournament was first held in Australia as part of the 2008 Festival of World Cups and was upgraded to a centrepiece event in 2021.

The 2014 European Cup was an international rugby league football tournament. The tournament took place in England, Wales, France, Ireland and Scotland between 17 October and 2 November. It was announced beforehand that the winner of the tournament would qualify for the 2016 Four Nations, and also that if Ireland or Wales won tournament, they will automatically qualify for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. France and Scotland had already qualified for that tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup</span>

The 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup was the 16th Rugby League World Cup, and one of three major tournaments of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in England from 15 October 2022 to 19 November 2022. It was originally due to be held between 23 October 2021 and 27 November 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent withdrawals of Australia and New Zealand caused the tournament to be postponed. 16 teams competed in the tournament, an increase of two from the previous two tournaments and the first to feature 16 teams since the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

The 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup qualification was the qualifying process which will decide the 8 teams that would join the 8 quarter-finalists from the 2017 World Cup including the hosts England, who received an automatic spot, at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The process commenced in June 2018, with the commencement of the 2018–19 Rugby League European Championship C tournament, which acted as the first round for European qualification.

A list of men and women international rugby league matches played throughout 2019 and does not include wheelchair rugby league international matches. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the RLIF World Rankings.

The 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was the fourth staging of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, and was one of three major tournaments part of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in England from 3 November to 18 November 2022. It was originally planned to be held in November 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England. It was the first occasion on which the wheelchair rugby league competition took place concurrently with the men's and women's tournaments. The competition was also the first time that participants in the wheelchair tournament received the same participation fees as players in the other competitions and the first time that prize money was awarded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International rugby league in 2022</span>

A list of men and women international rugby league matches played throughout 2022 and does not include wheelchair rugby league international matches. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Rugby League World Cup</span> International rugby league tournaments

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC2021) was a collection of world cups in the sport of rugby league, held in England from 15 October to 19 November 2022.

The Scotland national wheelchair rugby league team represents Scotland in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships and several tournaments within the British Isles, such as the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

The Wales national wheelchair rugby league team represents Wales in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships and several tournaments within the British Isles, such as the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ireland national wheelchair rugby league team</span>

The Ireland national wheelchair rugby league team represents Ireland in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships, the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

The United States national wheelchair rugby league team represents the United States in wheelchair rugby league. The team, nicknamed the Hawks, is controlled by USA Rugby League, the governing body for rugby league in the United States. Formed in 2022, the team made its debut at the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup finishing third in their group with one victory and two defeats.

The 2017 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held from 20 July to 28 July 2017 and was originally planned to be held in Sydney, Australia, as part of the 2017 Festival of World Cups but was relocated to France. The tournament was won by France who defeated England 38–34 in the final in Perpignan to retain the title.

The Australia national wheelchair rugby league team represent Australia in wheelchair rugby league. The team have played at all four World Cup tournaments and were finalists in the inaugural competition in 2008.

The European Club Challenge is a single match wheelchair rugby league competition played between the champions of the previous season's British Super League and French Elite 1 champions. The competition was established in 2023 and is similar in concept to the World Club Challenge in the running game.

The Halifax Panthers Wheelchair Rugby League Football Club are an English wheelchair rugby league club based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The club competes in the RFL Wheelchair Super League, the top tier of the British rugby league system. The club was formed in 2005.

References

  1. ↑ "Sculthorpe backs England wheelchair team". LoveRugbyLeague. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final: Tom Halliwell late try secures trophy for England". BBC. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "2013 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup – Wales Rugby League (WRL)". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "2017 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup – Wales Rugby League (WRL)". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Match Report: European Wheelchair Championship Final". European Rugby League. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Major stages and big events". Rugby XIII Fauteuil. Archived from the original on 13 November 2008.
  7. ↑ "Bradford Bulls Wheelchair Rugby". Bradford Bulls Foundation. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Rugby League pioneers recognised in New Year's Honours". Rugby Football League. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "England rugby league strikes Betfred deal". www.sportindustry.biz. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  10. ↑ Bower, Aaron (2 November 2022). "'It left me in awe': my hands-on initiation to wheelchair rugby league". the Guardian. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  11. ↑ Association, The Football. "England Wheelchair Rugby League Visit St. George's Park". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Rugby League World Cup 2021: Official wheelchair squads". nrl.com. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "England Wheelchair team win World Cup". England Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008.
  14. 1 2 "Wheelchair Rugby League tournament". 9 November 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ↑ "England Wheelchair team beat Australia in World Cup". RLEF. 7 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009.
  16. ↑ "England Wheelchair Rugby League win second World Cup match". RLEF. 10 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009.
  17. 1 2 "England Wheelchair Tag RL squad named". Rugby Football League. 3 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012.
  18. ↑ "England Wheelchair team reach World Cup Final". RLEF. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009.
  19. ↑ "England Wheelchair team reach World Cup Final". RLEF. 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009.
  20. ↑ "Story of the 2008 World Cup". RLWC2001. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "England Wheelchair Rugby League win the World Cup". Sport Focus. 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  22. ↑ "RFL Annual Report 2009" (PDF). p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 November 2010.
  23. ↑ "France 44–34 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  24. ↑ "England 34–32 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2012". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "Ireland 12–34 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "England 34–0 Wales". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "ENG Wheelchair 34v0 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  29. ↑ "England 50–0 Scotland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  30. ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup draw is made". Rugby Football League. 23 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013.
  31. ↑ "International Rugby League Came to Medway". Medway Dragons. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Wheelchair World Cup". rugbyleague.wales. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  33. ↑ "England 20–28 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  34. ↑ "England 86–8 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  35. ↑ "Wales 6–50 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "England 81–10 Australia". European Rugby League. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  37. ↑ "Match Report: Wheelchair World Cup final". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  38. ↑ "France 64–46 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  39. ↑ "Pari réussi pour l'Equipe de France XIII Fauteuil". FFRXIII (in French). 15 May 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  40. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2014". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  41. ↑ "ENG Wheelchair 104v14 SCOT Wheelchair". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  42. ↑ "ENG Wheelchair 80–6 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  43. ↑ "England 56–26 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  44. ↑ "England 24–26 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  45. ↑ "England 56–8 Wales". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  46. ↑ "Ireland 16–66 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  47. ↑ "Scotland 0–102 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  48. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2016". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  49. 1 2 "England claim Wheelchair 4 Nations title". Scotland Rugby League. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  50. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 42–18 Exiles Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  51. ↑ "ENG Wheelchair 56–14 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  52. ↑ "ENG Wheelchair 52–26 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  53. ↑ "England 31–25 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  54. ↑ "L'équipe de France Rugby XIII Fauteuil face à l'Angleterre ce soir! La feuille de match!" (in French). FFRXIII. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  55. ↑ "France 50–46 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  56. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2019". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  57. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 24–48 ENG Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  58. ↑ "ENG Wheelchair 136v1 SCOT Wheelchair". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  59. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 40–54 ENG Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  60. 1 2 "Wheelaroos ready to rock Wollongong". Dragons.com.au. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  61. 1 2 "England Wheelchair win Ashes series against Australia". Asia Pacific Rugby League. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  62. ↑ "England 102–22 Wales". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  63. ↑ "England's wheelchair rugby league team seek to right wrongs against France in Sunday's international". Sky Sports. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  64. ↑ "England 24–49 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  65. ↑ "England 26–39 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  66. ↑ "England 62–48 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  67. ↑ "England 38–8 Australia". European Rugby League. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  68. ↑ "England Wheelchair 104-12 Spain Wheelchair". RLWC2021. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  69. ↑ "England Wheelchair 121-0 Ireland Wheelchair". RLWC2021. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  70. ↑ "England Wheelchair 125–22 Wales Wheelchair". RLWC2021. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  71. ↑ "England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup - reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  72. ↑ "World champions England defeated by France". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  73. ↑ "France 18–34 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.