Match Preview: London vs Oldham

Oldham are on the road again this weekend for a crucial Betfred Championship clash in the capital against London Broncos at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The Broncos were well beaten at Boundary Park earlier this season but have been steadily strengthening, and now have realistic Super League ambitions of their own ahead of the season run-in.

Team News

Head coach Sean Long makes three changes to the squad that enjoyed a narrow win at Batley last Sunday, with new signing Ethan Ryan straight in, George Hirst returning from injury and Tom Whitehead included for the first time.

Flying winger Ryan arrived from the Red Devils this week and strengthens an Oldham side without Mo Agoro who has a knee injury, while Mathieu Pons has also been struggling with a knock and misses out.

On-loan Warrington forward Whitehead is included for the first time, while Jack Johnson keeps his place after two tries at Batley.

Dropping out of the 21 this week along with Pons are Gil Dudson and Pat Moran.

Still sidelined are Riley Dean and centres Iain Thornley, Jumah Sambou and Jordan Turner, while Zane Musgrove has left the club.

The head coach discusses his selection and preparation for the London game in his latest interview with George here.

Squad in full: 1. Ryan Brierley 2. Kieran Dixon, 9. Matty Wildie, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Jack Ormondroyd, 13. Adam Milner, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 17. Elijah Taylor, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 24. Ben O'Keefe, 25. Tom Whitehead, 28. Ethan Ryan, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 37. Ryan Lannon, 38. Ben Davies, 40. Eloi Pelissier, 42. Morgan Smith.

The Opposition

London's lowly league position of 10th is a bit of an anomaly and Mike Eccles' side came desperately close to beating Toulouse in their last game on home soil.

The Broncos have had a tough summer fixture list, losing at leaders York last weekend, being edged out at home by second-placed Toulouse 24-18 the week before, and kicking off August with an impressive 18-10 home win over Barrow.

So a third home game in their last four gives Eccles' men the chance to lay down a real marker with a big performance against a Roughyeds side who triumphed 50-6 at Boundary Park in May.

The stats are interesting too. London may have been thumped at Boundary Park this year but are unbeaten in their last nine home games against Oldham, dating back to a 12-8 Roughyeds win at Crystal Palace in the Second Division in 1992.

Tickets and access

Tickets are £20 adults, £15 concessions and £5 for under 18s.

To book these you will need to go direct to the London Broncos ticket portal here:

It will then ask you for a promo code - please put in OLDHAM. That's the important bit!

Fans are advised to use public transport where possible, with no parking available at the stadium and restrictions in place around the ground.

Further travel and parking info is available here.

Media coverage

We are proud to have one of the best away supports in the league and are again looking forward to seeing as many Oldham shirts as possible down in London this weekend.

If you are unable to make the trip to the capital then don't worry - we will do our best to bring you the best possible coverage from George and the team.

We will have our exclusive live audio-only commentary on our Roughyeds TV YouTube page from 3pm, and make sure you are following all of our social channels, on Facebook, X and Instagram, the only place to hear the first thoughts from head coach Sean Long before and after kick off, see exclusive on-the-hooter interviews with our players at the end of the game, watch try clips during matches and even hear from the players direct from the team coach on the journey home after the game.

Please subscribe, follow, like, comment, share and engage with our media content that we are so proud to have to rival any throughout rugby league - it all helps with our IMG score too.

We can't wait to see you with us in London on Sunday afternoon - Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!