Hornets News

French Invasion

Rochdale Hornets welcome Kingstone Press League One newcomers Toulouse Olympique XIII to Spotland this Sunday as they attempt to continue their perfect start to the league campaign.

Their French opponents have also started 2016 positively, and are unbeaten in all competitions going into their first game on English soil.

They pulled off a shock 10-8 win over Championship leaders Leigh Centurions last week to progress in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, and have racked up 192 points in their first three league fixtures, conceding just six.

It is the second time they have competed in England, and after an unsuccessful three year spell in the Championship they are now looking to conquer our game at the second time of asking.

Supporters can pay on the gate for the big game, with turnstiles open from 1.30pm and kick off is at 3pm.

Rochdale13

Rochdale13 have always promised to get you closer to the action than ever before and, with the help of our brand new GoPro camera, we have this week got you onto the field.

Assistant coach Dave Ramsbottom wore the camera in a chest harness, giving fans the unique experience of seeing what goes on under the posts.

Some of the language was a bit blue, so we overlaid with music but we will go again this week and hope to bring you some sound as well.

The GoPro will be extensively used throughout the season to help get fans closer to the action and if you have any suggestions please email commercial@hornetsrugbyleague.com

Origin Is Here

The biggest intra-town competition since the re-formation of the Riley and Charity Cups is here - the Township Origin series.

Backed by the township committees, each township will field a team at primary and secondary school age groups and take in training sessions as well as matches.

"The Origin series will be a great boost for Rugby League in the town", commented Niel Wood, foundation trustee.

"If you can imagine fixtures between Heywood and Middleton, Rochdale and Pennine - I am sure people will come out in numbers to passionately support and cheer for their Township."

Players are eligible for the township in which they go to school and 160 players will be involved in the programme which will put on coaching and fixtures in each individual township.

"There will be intra club rivalries for sure, as some of the players involved will be from clubs and will play against their team mates, but that will only add to the competition", commented Alan Kilshaw, Hornets Head Coach and Community Partnerships Manager.

"The vast majority of players will be new to the game and playing for your township will give players the opportunity to play rugby league outside of the school environment.

"We are working closely with Mayfield, Littleborough and Cobras to ensure that the kids that play and enjoy the Origin series have the chance to go on and play club rugby, as well as get involved with our Embed the Pathway talent programme."

The coaches for each township have been appointed and an announcement will be made in due course, along with details of training dates/times/venues and the reveal of each township's specially commissioned playing kits.