Four Rhinos named in latest England Wheelchair Squad

England’s Wheelchair squad will gather in Hull this weekend for a first full training camp since last autumn’s unforgettable World Cup triumph – and Head Coach Tom Coyd has called up a number of new names.

All six clubs from the Betfred Wheelchair Super League are represented, with Callum Young selected from Warrington Wolves, and Tristan Norfolk from Hull FC – Norfolk having impressed with four tries in Hull’s win against Warrington in the first BWSL Magic Round in Birmingham on Saturday. 

Tom Martin from Halifax Panthers is another new inclusion although he did train with England last spring, while Jack Heggie from Wigan Warriors, Freya Levy from London Roosters and the Leeds Rhinos pair of Josh Butler and Ewan Clibbens are recalled to the England set-up after missing out on World Cup selection. 

Three of England’s World Cup heroes were unavailable for the training camp. Jack Brown is in Australia having emigrated to Queensland three years ago, although the 2020 Wheelchair Rugby League Golden Boot winner remains a key figure in England’s planning for future tournaments.

James Simpson announced his retirement earlier this year, and has already started his new role as the Leeds Rhinos Head Coach, while Wigan’s Dec Roberts has called time on his representative career although he remains a key figure for the Warriors. 

Tom Coyd said: 

“I’m excited by the prospect of these 15 players coming together for our first training camp since the World Cup. 

“We have lost two key contributors to that World Cup success, and I’d like to pay tribute again to James Simpson for his career, and also to Dec Roberts for his commitment to the England cause over many years – and to wish them both luck in their continued roles with Leeds and Wigan respectively. 

 “As we look ahead to the European Championships at the end of this season and beyond that the next World Cup in France in 2025, it’s good to be able to have such a depth of talent and potential in this England squad. 

“Callum Young and Tristan Norfolk are two newcomers to our England programme and we look forward to welcoming them. Tristan will be on home territory this weekend and has earned the call through some scintillating form with Hull FC, while Callum is an exciting young talent. 

“I’ve been delighted by the early stages of the Betfred Wheelchair Super League season, with five of the six teams now having at least one win on the board, and a really successful first Magic Round in Birmingham at the weekend. 

“We already have more active players in the sport than in the whole of last season, as Wheelchair Rugby League benefits from the World Cup exposure and success – and that is going to mean more players pushing for England selection in future years.” 

Sunday’s training session at St Mary’s College in Hull will be open to spectators, starting from 10am with players available for photographs, autographs and media interviews from 11:30am. 

England Wheelchair Performance Squad, 2023 

Seb Bechara (Halifax Panthers), Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers), Jack Brown (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos), Ewan Clibbens (Leeds Rhinos), Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Coyd (London Roosters), Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos), Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers), Jack Heggie (Wigan Warriors), Lewis King (London Roosters), Freya Levy (London Roosters), Tom Martin (Halifax Panthers), Tristan Norfolk (Hull FC), Adam Rigby (Wigan Warriors), Callum Young (Warrington Wolves)

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