London Broncos have drafted in Warrington Wolves pair Tom Whitehead and Alfie Johnson ahead of this weekend’s clash with Hunslet. Mike Eccles’ side have struggled on their return to the Championship with just one win coming in their opening three league games.
That result came against Featherstone Rovers but defeats have now come against Bradford Bulls and Oldham, with the latter being a 50-6 demolition last Sunday at Boundary Park. As such, while they do have a game in hand, they sit towards the foot of the Championship table as they prepare to host the newly promoted West Yorkshire outfit this Saturday.
The Broncos have seen a raft of loan players return to their parent clubs with week with Jake Thewlis, Lukas Mason, Kian McDermott and Taylor Kerr all departing and injuries to Connor O’Beirne and Lewis Bienek have left them short of personnel ahead of the fixture.
Consequently, London have moved to add to their squad with Whitehead and Johnson making the loan switch to Plough Lane. The pair have both featured for Sam Burgess’ Warrington Wolves side this season, with Whitehead starting at loose-forward in the Challenge Cup win over Whitehaven, while Johnson played and scored in the Super League defeat to Wakefield Trinity before struggling in the win over Widnes Vikings.
Johnson is still learning the ropes of rugby league having made the switch from sevens and he’ll be keen to make the most of his time in the capital. Whitehead, on the other hand, is no stranger to the lower leagues, having had time with Rochdale Hornets, Swinton Lions, North Wales Crusaders and Widnes Vikings before a short stint with Keighley Cougars earlier this season.
The Broncos have also signed Ted Davidson, who was once a part of the club’s academy, coming through at the same time as the likes of Kai Pearce-Paul, Oli Leyland and Jamie Humphreys.
