BRONCOS CAN BUCK TREND
Meadows banking on some capital gains
THEY have yet to win back in Super League and face the World Club champions today – but London’s Jimmy Meadows isn’t fazed.
Life doesn’t get much better for the Teddington-born half-back, who’s loving his time back in the capital.
He came through the club’s academy and as a 19 year-old rookie, featured against Warrington when Broncos were last in the top flight in 2019.
Meadows spent the last two seasons with Championship part-timers Batley but returned this term after London’s shock promotion.
Now 24, he’s a central part of their bid to ruffle feathers again and lines up against
Man of Steel Bevan French
(inset) when London host champions Wigan at Wimbledon this afternoon.
Meadows said: “There’s a lot of players out there, not just him. Obviously, Wigan have a lot of strengths. They must have to get to where they’ve been recently.
“But we’re looking at how we can get the best out of ourselves and hopefully get a win from that.
“It’s a great challenge for us. They’ve had a great few weeks and for us to be playing them at our place in front of hopefully another big crowd is quality.”
London beat Wigan five years ago as well as St Helens, Leeds and Catalans, only, agonisingly, to be relegated with a record number of points. They have switched from Ealing to Plough Lane since then and have a number of part-time players.
But the never-say-die spirit remains. More than 5,000 fans attended their first home game back – a 40-4 loss against Saints – and they almost got their first win before falling 28-24 at Hull on Sunday.
Meadows added: “There’s some good similarities from 2019 and hopefully we can emulate some of the things that group did.
“It was great for me to be a part of that squad when I was young. I learned a lot that year.
“I didn’t experience a load of Super League but it definitely stood me in good stead. I knew a bit more about the routine and those challenges we’re facing at the moment.”
Meadows’ belief remains high despite London, who have brought Hull KR hooker Reiss Butterworth in on loan, being tipped by many to finish bottom this season.
They were hammered 34-0 by Catalans on their last home outing.
But he said: “There’s been massive improvement from week to week, so we’re taking confidence out of that.”