Three Warriors selected for National Performance Squad
Three Warriors have been selected in an expanded England National Performance Squad ahead of Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup Final.
England Head Coach Tom Coyd MBE has named Jack Heggie, Martin Lane and Adam Rigby in an expanded squad as a reward for their impressive starts to the season which has helped the Warriors reach a first Wheelchair Challenge Cup.
The trio will head to Wembley Stadium for Challenge Cup Finals Day on Saturday 8 June before the first National Performance Squad gathering of 2024 takes place at Medway Park in Kent the following day.
Heggie, Lane and Rigby will be joined in the squad by Catalans Dragons’ Sebastien Bechara MBE, who will be on the opposing side in this Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport, as well as former Halifax Panthers player Jack Brown who now plays for North Queensland Cowboys.
The squad also includes Mason Billington, Jason Owen and Tristan Norfolk (all uncapped) who impressed in last Sunday’s ‘Future of England’ event in York – part of the National Development Programme which aims to increase the depth of talent available and to uncover future stars.
Speaking on the squad, Tom Coyd said: “Due to the growing depth of talent in our sport the National Performance Squad for 2024, this has been the toughest selection so far in my tenure as coach of England Wheelchair.
“With Test matches set to be announced for this autumn, but also a World Cup looming in 2026, our objective was to name a squad with plenty of big game experience and also a mix of exciting potential.
“Making a return to the National Performance Squad are four experienced players who have previously represented England in major tournament finals – Jack Heggie, Martin Lane and Adam Rigby, who have been integral to the outstanding form of Challenge Cup finalists Wigan Warriors, as well as Nathan Holmes from Halifax Panthers.
“We are very excited to get going with this fresh squad as we continue to build towards the autumn Test matches and beyond. We will also continue to monitor all England-eligible players who may present themselves in the Super League and Championship as the 2024 season gets underway in the coming weeks.”
Full National Performance Squad:
- Seb Bechara MBE (Catalans Dragons)
- Mason Billington (London Roosters)
- Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers)
- Jack Brown (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos)
- Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos)
- Joe Coyd (London Roosters)
- Tom Halliwell OBE (Leeds Rhinos)
- Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers)
- Jack Heggie (Wigan Warriors)
- Nathan Holmes (Halifax Panthers)
- Lewis King (London Roosters)
- Martin Lane (Wigan Warriors)
- Tristan Norfolk (Hull FC)
- Jason Owen (London Roosters)
- Adam Rigby (Wigan Warriors)
The 2024 Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final between Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons will be shown live on BBC Sport at 1:30pm. Supporters can purchase tickets for the Final online HERE.
