Adam Rigby of Wigan Warriors has been appointed to captain an England Wheelchair team including three debutants in Thursday’s international against Spain in Nantes, with head coach Tom Coyd confirming that he will play all 16 members of the England Performance Squad in the two internationals in France this week.
Rigby will be joined by two more members of England’s 2022 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup winning squad – Wayne Boardman and Joe Coyd – for England’s first game against Spain since a group fixture in the World Cup at the Copperbox Arena in London.
Rigby’s Wigan team-mate Jack Heggie is recalled for his first cap since 2014, and Boardman’s Halifax team-mate Nathan Holmes for his first since 2015, while the three debutants come from three different clubs – Chris Haynes of Sheffield Eagles, Jason Owen of London Roosters and Tristan Norfolk of Hull FC.
Jack Brown, who last week returned to his native Yorkshire from his Queensland base in a huge boost to the England squad ahead of Saturday’s match against France in Saint-Lo, has been named as ninth player for the Spain game.
Tom Coyd has also confirmed England’s team for the latest crunch clash against France which shows only one change from the eight who beat the French 66-33 in the ABK Beer International in Wigan last month – with Brown replacing Joe Coyd, who is named as ninth player in addition to his inclusion against Spain.
“First and foremost, I’m delighted to be able to name two teams for two more international fixtures,” said Tom Coyd.
“With the games being played in the space of three days, it’s perfect that we have enough depth in our England squad to be able to name such a strong team to face Spain on Thursday, and allow the players who performed so well in the home game against France to concentrate on preparing for the rematch in Normandy – with the added bonus of having Jack Brown back in the mix.
“Adam Rigby is richly deserving of the honour of captaining his country. He has been an outstanding servant to Wheelchair Rugby League stretching right back to the inaugural World Cup in 2008, and holds our England heritage number 8.
“He is the ideal man to lead a team which blends the experience of Wayne Boardman, Joe Coyd, Nathan Holmes and Jack Heggie with an exciting trio of debutants.
“Chris Haynes, Jason Owen and Tristan Norfolk have each taken an inspirational journey to earn their England debuts, and it’s going to be a special evening in Nantes on Wednesday when they are presented with their jerseys.”
Coyd will confirm his starting 5 for the Spain match after training in Nantes on Wednesday.
The England squad have assembled in Medway to finalise their preparations before heading to France tomorrow.
England team to face Spain in Nantes, Thursday November 21:
Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers)
Joe Coyd (London Roosters)
Chris Haynes (Sheffield Eagles) – Debut
Jack Heggie (Wigan Warriors)
Nathan Holmes (Halifax Panthers)
Jason Owen (London Roosters) – Debut
Tristan Norfolk (Hull FC) – Debut
Adam Rigby (Wigan Warriors, captain)
9th Player: Jack Brown (North Queensland Cowboys).
England team to face France in Saint-Lo, Saturday November 23:
Sebastien Bechara (Catalans Dragons)
Mason Billington (London Roosters)
Jack Brown (North Queensland Cowboys)
Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos)
Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos)
Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos, captain)
Robert Hawkins (Halifax Panthers)
Lewis King (London Roosters)
9th Player: Joe Coyd (London Roosters).
