England set to show support to RBL via shirt
ENGLAND’S rugby league team will show their support for the Royal British Legion’s ‘Thank You’ movement by wearing a special commemorative jersey in the third Test of the forthcoming series against New Zealand at Elland Road which will be played on Remembrance Sunday, November 11.
Hummel have produced a one-off shirt for the match featuring the poppy – the international symbol of Remembrance and hope – as well as the ‘Thank You 1918-2018’ logo, with £5 from the sale of each jersey going to the Royal British Legion.
A limited number of shirts will available to purchase from shop.rugby-league.com from November 5 and will be on sale at the Anfield and Elland Road Tests on match day.
Simon O’Leary, the Royal British Legion’s assistant director of fundraising, said: “The First World War left so many legacies that positively impact our lives today, from ground-breaking social change to pioneering innovations. This centenary of the ending of the First World War is a chance for us all to thank not only the British Armed Forces who fought and gave their lives, but also the thousands who fought alongside them from India and across today’s Commonwealth, and the many men, women and children who played their part on the home front.
“We are very grateful to the Rugby Football League for commemorating the Legion’s ‘Thank You’ movement and wearing the special branded shirts during England’s international matches against New Zealand.”
Jamie Peacock, the former England and Great Britain captain who is now the team manager, said: “The sport of rugby league, and the England team, are proud to be associated with the courage and sacrifices of our Armed Forces, never more so than this year as we commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
“We will be visiting the Western Front as a squad next weekend to reinforce that message ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, and I know the players will be proud to wear the poppy and to support the Royal British Legion’s Thank You movement on Remembrance Sunday.” ●
Saturday, October 18, 1975 A LAST minute drop-goal decided the match against Huddersfield after Widnes had recovered from an early setback to go in front.
Ray Dutton reduced a five point deficit with a penalty before Mick Adams hurtled between the posts with Dutton’s goal giving the Chemics a 7-5 lead.
Level at half-time, Mal Aspey burst through three tackles to provide Adams with his second try with Dutton’s conversion and a 35 yard penalty putting Widnes seven points clear.
However, Huddersfield pegged it back before Reg Bowden’s late drop-goal. ● WIDNES VIKINGS: On This Day is available now at £9.99 from the Vikings Superstore. ●
WIDNES continued their preparations for life in the Betfred Championship this week with the re-signing of threequarter Ryan Ince.
The 22 year-old is yet another player who came through the ranks at the Vikings and has represented England at youth levels.
He has made 48 appearances in senior rugby league including loan spells at Hunslet and Whitehaven.
Ince said: “I’m really excited for next year to come around.
“There’s been a few changes at the club, but I’m confident with those changes in place, we can bounce back into Super League next year.
“I got injured in pre-season last year and that meant I didn’t really get going in 2018 and made this year a frustrating one.
“So if I stay injury-free next season, I know I can have a good year.
“As a Widnes lad, it’ll be massive for me to be part of the squad that gets us back into Super League and I’ll be doing all I can to help make that happen.”
Vikings performance director, Phil Finney, commented: “Ryan is another player that has progressed from our Academy and has only ever represented Widnes.
“As a Widnes lad, Ryan knows what it means to represent the club and the town, and has remained loyal to the club on a number of occasions.
“Ryan is an exceptional athlete who has demonstrated his qualities a number of times at first team level already.
“He is at a stage in his career now where he needs to cement a regular place in the firstteam.
“I’m sure that with a good pre-season, Ryan will do everything he can to achieve this.”
Widnes chief executive officer James Rule added: “Ryan is one of the cohort of players under the age of 22 that the club approached prior to the end of last season offering to honour their Super League contracts irrespective of whether we were playing in the Super League or the Championship.
“I’m delighted that our show of faith in Ryan has been reciprocated by him agreeing to stay with us for our 2019 campaign.”
Widnes now know the full make-up of next year’s Champiomship after Swinton’ 33-20 victory over Workington last weekend saw the Lions retain their place in rugby league’s second tier.
Meanwhile, Vikings’ U19s star Calum O’Neill has been named in Ireland’s train-on squad for the upcoming European Championship tournament.
The Wolfhounds will compete against Scotland, Wales and France for a chance to book their place in the 2021 World Cup in England.
O’Neill has already captained Ireland U19s and now has the opportunity to gain his first call-up to the senior national side.
He is part of the 35-man squad named by head coach Stuart Littler and pledged his future to the club last month.
O’Neill played for community club Halton Farnworth Hornets from the age of six before joining Widnes Moorfield in 2015.
He was a member of the Widnes Vikings development squad and later signed for the club as a scholar in 2014.