French star Bourson included in first Wheelchair Super League Dream Team

The first Betfred Wheelchair Super League Dream Team has been selected – with French star Jeremy Bourson included alongside four England internationals ahead of the return match between the world’s leading nations in Saint-Lo later this month.

Bourson, who was crowned the world’s best Wheelchair Rugby League Player last year when he won the IRL’s Golden Boot, played regularly for Halifax Panthers in the 2024 season – including in their Grand Final defeat by Leeds Rhinos last month.

He is selected on one wing in the Dream Team with his Panthers team-mate Rob Hawkins on the other flank.

The Rhinos also have two players selected in recognition of their title-winning season – Josh Butler, who won the Wheels of Steel as the season’s outstanding player, and goalkicking pivot Nathan Collins, who won the Player of the Match award in the Grand Final.

Joe Coyd completes the Dream Team after his consistent excellence for the London Roosters.

Bourson, who was a surprising omission from the France team beaten by England in the ABK Beer Wheelchair International in Wigan last month, has been included in an 18-strong squad for their two home fixtures, against Ireland in Nantes on November 21 before they face England two days later.

England will take their 16-strong Performance Squad across the Channel as they face Spain in Nantes before the rematch with France – and are boosted by the availability of Jack Brown, the inaugural winner of the IRL’s Wheelchair Golden Boot in 2020 who was not available for the ABK International against France in Wigan, but will fly in from his Queensland base next week to link up with the Performance Squad.

Betfred Wheelchair Super League Dream Team

Wings – Rob Hawkins and Jeremy Bourson (both Halifax Panthers)

Middles – Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos) and Joe Coyd (London Roosters)

Pivot – Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos)

England Performance Squad (for fixtures against Spain in Nantes on November 21, and France in Saint-Lo on November 23):

Seb Bechara (Catalans Dragons), Mason Billington (London Roosters), Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers), Jack Brown  (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos), Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Coyd (London Roosters), Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos), Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers), Chris Haynes (Sheffield Eagles), Jack Heggie (Wigan Warriors), Nathan Holmes (Halifax Panthers), Lewis King (London Roosters), Tristan Norfolk (Hull FC), Jason Owen (London Roosters), Adam Rigby (Wigan Warriors).

France Squad (for fixtures against Ireland in Nantes on November 21, and England in Saint-Lo on November 23):

Lionel Alazard (Montauban), Pierre Botte (Aingirak Euskadi), Jeremy Bourson (Catalans Dragons), Thomas Candela (RFC Toulon), Gilles Clausells (Catalans Dragons), Nicolas Clausells (Catalans Dragons), Damien Dore (Catalans Dragons), Guillaume Dubruel (Stade Toulousain Olympique), Thomas Duhalde (Aingirak Euskadi), Jorge Gelade Panzo (Catalans Dragons), Florian Guttadoro (SO Avignon), Jonathan Hivernat (Catalans Dragons), Leo Hivernat (Catalans Dragons), Lisa Lartigue (RFC Toulon), Julien Pennella (Aingirak Euskadi, Victor Puly (Catalans Dragons), Arno Vargas (Catalans Dragons), Adrien Zittel (SO Avignon).