Rugby League kicks off with Metro
in London

Metro newspaper has today put its name to the inaugural Rugby League Capital Challenge which will see London?s two professional sides do battle to see in the new season.

The Metro Capital Challenge Shield will be played between London Broncos and London Skolars at New River Stadium (Kick off 2.30pm) on Saturday 5th February.

London Broncos are the only professional Super League club in the south of England, and London Skolars, who play in National League Two, are also making big strides in the south.

The 13-aside game, which has demonstrated massive growth in the south in recent years, will draw support from right across the capital, with clubs now firmly planted in many London boroughs, including Lewisham, Greenwich, Croydon, Haringey, as well as St Albans, Hemel Hemstead and Essex.

The game's growth in the last few years has been largely driven through the efforts of development programmes implemented by London Broncos, the RFL, and the many London clubs that have emerged in recent years.

The day?s activities will include parades from rugby league teams from across London, and it is anticipated that the event will be a sell out, with tickets already selling well.

It will be the Broncos final pre-season ?friendly? before their campaign kicks off for real at Griffin Park on Sunday 13th February v Warrington Wolves.

It?s a new-look Broncos outfit with some eleven new faces in the 25-man squad, and New River will welcome some of the bigger name recruits including current Kiwi international scrum half Thomas Leuluai, one of Australia?s most feared and colourful players, Solomon Haumono, as well as former Canberra Raiders speedster, Mark Mc Linden.

Preceding the Metro Capital Challenge will be the all-London Powergen Challenge Cup clash between West London Sharks and South London Storm.

Metro?s association with Rugby League is well documented, and they continue to be one of the Broncos major media partners. If you're a rugby league fan in London, a morning Metro is an absolute must!

Tickets for the London Broncos vs. London Skolars game are on sale now via the London Skolars office on 020 8888 8488, or by e-mail tickets@skolars.com.

Prices are set at ?10.00 for Adults, ?5.00 Concessions and ?25.00 for a Family of 2 Adults and 2 Children.

Tickets are also available online at www.londonbroncos.co.uk priced from ?5.

London Broncos schedule of matches ahead of the 2005 season:

? London v UTC 7.30pm Wednesday 19th January (Result: UTC 28 London 24) ? London v Leeds Tuesday 25th January 8.00pm (Result: 18-6) ? Leeds/London v Whitehaven 7.30pm Wednesday 26th January (Result: 38-24) ? London v Wigan 3pm Sunday 30th January @ Orrell RU ? Metro Capital Challenge Shield - London Broncos v London Skolars : 2.30pm Saturday 5th February