Broncos return to Super League in 2024

The final place in the Betfred Super League for 2024 was decided on Sunday with founder members of the league, London Broncos, booking their return with a dramatic 18-14 win at Toulouse Olympique 18-14 in the Betfred Championship Grand Final.

Toulouse got off to the perfect start as Mathieu Jussaume opened the scoring inside the first three minutes.

Olympique doubled their lead before the 20 minute mark, as Josh Ralph finished off a great move to put Toulouse into a 12-0 lead.

Dean Whare struck back for London five minutes later, before a Jake Shorrocks penalty sent Toulouse in at half time with a 14-4 lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Alex Walker hit back for London. Before Iliess Macani scored a brace to give London a lead. The Broncos were able to hold on and secure their spot in Super League for the 2024 season.

The return of a team from the capital will see London return once again to Headingley. The club can trace its heritage back to the Fulham club who played their first-ever cup tie, in the John Player Trophy on 23 November 1980 at Craven Cottage, against Leeds, the home side causing a major upset with a 9-3 and over 12,500 watching. In the spring of 1994, Brisbane Broncos bought a majority share in the club and changed the name from Crusaders before eventually adopting the Broncos moniker.

Between 2006 and 2011, the team was known as Harlequins RL before reverting back to London Broncos in 2012. In the early years of the summer era, London were a powerhouse in the sport, finishing fourth in the augural season and runners up to Bradford Bulls in 1997. That same year they defeated the famous Canberra Raiders in the World Club Championship as well. Perhaps their high point came in 1999 when they had a 'home' game at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final against the Rhinos and led on three occasions before the Rhinos rallied in the second half to secure a then record victory. 

The last meeting between Leeds and London came in the 2019 season when Danny Ward's side were only relegated on points difference. London defeated Dave Furner's Leeds team at Headingley 18-16 early in the campaign and Richard Agar was in charge in time for a crucial win at the Magic Weekend at Anfield in a nail biting 24-22 win. The Rhinos had an easier time down in Ealing when they won 36-10 in September. Overall, we have played each other 61 times with the Leeds winning 46 times, two draws and thirteen losses.