England to face France in mid-season Wheelchair test live on Sky Sports
Photo: @England_RL Twitter
England Wheelchair will host France in a mid-season international live on Sky Sports ahead of this year’s Wheelchair World Cup.
The match will take place on the international weekend, Sunday June 19, at Manchester Basketball Centre (3.45pm).
It forms part of a triple header weekend, that sees the men’s and women’s team play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium the previous days.
England and France are the oldest rivals in Wheelchair Rugby League, having competed for the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy since 2012 to pay tribute to pioneers of the Wheelchair game from either side of the Channel.
Fortunes have fluctuated since France’s thrilling 38-34 victory over England in the 2017 World Cup Final in Perpignan, with England claiming an historic first win in France in 2019, but the world champions hitting back to square that series and then to reassert their superiority with a 2-0 series win in Kent last autumn.
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Tough test for England Wheelchair
England head coach Tom Coyd: “It’s the toughest test we could have, but that’s exactly what we wanted ahead of the World Cup.
“The two matches against France at Medway last autumn made a huge impression on everyone who watched them.
“Although the results weren’t what we wanted, it’s great to have another shot at France before the World Cup.
“And the fact the game will be shown live on Sky Sports is another massive boost for Wheelchair Rugby League.
“It’s been an exciting start to the domestic season with the three new clubs in the Super League – London Roosters, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors – all making an immediate impression.”
Coyd will name a revised England Wheelchair Performance Squad next week ahead of a training camp in Hull.
Games at the Wheelchair World Cup will be held at the Copper Box in London and EIS Sheffield; with the final at Manchester Central on November 18.
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