Adam Rigby is relishing the honour of leading an England team including three debutants in Thursday’s Wheelchair Rugby League International against Spain in Nantes.
Rigby has been a stalwart of the Wheelchair game since making his England debut as a 16-year-old in the inaugural World Cup in 2008, playing for a number of North West clubs before Wigan Warriors joined the movement in 2023 – and clinched a stunning Grand Final triumph.
“I’m definitely living the dream this week,” said the 32-year-old, who won the last of his 18 England caps in the triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign.
“Within the squad that’s playing against Spain, there’s a lot of experience, so it’s an absolute privilege and an honour to have that prestigious captaincy given to me.
“Growing up, always watching England and the Wigan team, you want to live up to what they’re doing, and being able to be in the situation that I’m in today preparing to captain the country is incredible. It’s something that you’d always dream of but never thought you’d get.”
Rigby, who discovered the sport as a teenager with the hereditary condition familial spastic diplegia, has always been an enthusiastic advocate and outstanding ambassador for Wheelchair Rugby League. He works for the North West Ambulance Service as a Special Operations Project Support Officer, and as Co-Chair of the Disability Network, he points out the significance of the timing of England’s Wheelchair internationals in Disability History Month.
“When I look back to 2008, the growth in the sport as a whole has been incredible. Being able to grow the audience and participation numbers is a big thing for us. That shows from the squads that we’ve got playing this week. We’ve got debutants that are coming in, and we’re trying to rotate the squad and develop these players who could potentially become the next internationals playing at a World Cup.”
England’s match against Spain is the first part of a double header in Nantes, followed by France hosting Ireland.
Then on Saturday, it’s the big rematch between England and France in Saint-Lo, with France aiming to hit back after their defeat in Wigan last month.
Both England’s matches in France will be streamed on YouTube by the French Federation. Links will be posted on England Rugby League social media channels ahead of the games.
Kick-off against Spain is scheduled for 4pm UK time (followed by France v Ireland at 7pm), and Saturday’s match between England and France is scheduled to kick off at 4pm UK time.
