Joe Mbu’s squad to face Wigan Warriors on Friday at the HAC will contain some familiar names as well as some new ones as the Skolars coach continues his preparations for the new Championship 1 season.
Mbu is able call on the experience of Captain Dave Williams as well as first team regulars Louis Robinson, Martyn Smith, John Paxton, Smokie Junor, Sam Wellings, Rob Thomas and Ollie Purslow.
During the close season Skolars have recruited the services of a number of new players and the two that supporters will be most familiar with are Jamie O’Callagan and Lamont Bryan. Both bring a wealth of experience, having played in Super League, and will be looking to make a big impression in the coming season. Other former Broncos players who have signed for Skolars, and who should feature on Friday, are Anthony Cox and Sam Druce.
Another new addition to look out for is Matt Bradley, who joins the club after a very successful season with University of Gloucestershire All Golds. He’ll be joined by other newcomers to the squad including Ade Aderiye, Lloyd O’Connor, Vincent Morris and Courtney Davies.
Two of the club’s treble winning 19’s team make the step up having earned their first professional contracts, twins Judd and Michael Greenhalgh.
For some of the squad this will be their first taste of first team action and they will be facing some of the country’s most exciting young talent when Wigan take to the field featuring the likes of Joe Burgess, Anthony Gelling and Ryan Hampshire. Gelling scored 8 tries in 13 appearances in the Wigan first team last season.
The match between London Skolars and a Wigan Warriors XIII takes place at the ground of the Honourable Artillery Company in the City on Friday the 24th January and kicks off at 2.00pm. Tickets, priced at £15 are available to purchase on the gate.
