Wheelchair Rugby Four Nations Tournament

Wheelchair Rugby Four Nations Tournament
Wales v Exiles

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Kingsway Park High School is playing host to the Wheelchair Rugby Four Nations Tournament this weekend.

Eight games are taking place across the two days between England, Scotland, Wales and the Exiles, who are standing in for Ireland.

Three matches each will determine who plays in the final on Sunday at 5pm.

James Simpson began playing Wheelchair Rugby League in 2013 when he left the Army. He lost both his legs instantly after standing on an IED bomb in Afghanistan in 2009.

He said: “I've always been from a rugby background but I didn’t play when I was in the Army. After I left, I started looking for some sports that I could get involved with.

"Wheelchair Rugby League is great because you can play with your mates. Only three people on the pitch at once have to be disabled.”

James usually plays for the Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair Rugby League team. His fellow teammates, Ryan Richardson and Nathan Collins, made their England debut today, as did Bradford Bulls' Keiron Johnson and Halifax's Nathan Mulhall.

The England squad is made up of players ranging from age 16 to 44 from Medway Dragons, Leeds Rhinos, Halifax, Catalan Dragons and Bradford Bulls.

Men and women, both able bodied and disabled, make up a team of 10 players.

The four nations tournament has been held in Rochdale to highlight the new Rochdale Hornets Wheelchair Rugby team, which was formed around eight months ago.

The first game of the day saw Wales beat the Exiles 40-18.

England dominated Scotland in the second game of the day with a 98-10 victory.

Speaking of their win, James said: "We are always on top of our game; we're not very forgiving.

"I think Wales are our biggest competition.

"The teams are all located quite close together, so they can train together on a regular basis.

"The end goal for all of our players is the World Championship in Sydney next year. There's only ten places for the final team."

Following England’s triumphant match, the Hornets Wheelchair Rugby team played a friendly match between themselves before the Scotland versus Wales game.