Will Lovell
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Lovell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 May 1993 Northampton, Northamptonshire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 16 st 10 lb (106 kg)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 16 March 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Will Lovell (born 10 May 1993) is a rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the London Broncos in the Betfred Championship.
He played for the Broncos in the Super League between 2012 and 2014, and has spent time on loan from them at the London Skolars in the League 1. He has also spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons at the Skolars. Earlier in his career he played as a centre.
Background
Lovell was born in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England.
He was graduated from St Mary's University, Twickenham.[7]
Career
Early career
Lovell played rugby union as a youth and was in the junior system of the Northampton Saints.[8]
He also played rugby league as an amateur for the Northampton Demons and from there progressed through to the London Broncos Academy system in 2010 and 2011.
London Broncos
Lovell made his Super League debut for the London Broncos against the Catalans Dragons at the Etihad Stadium in May 2012.[9]
He played one game on loan at the London Skolars in the League 1 in 2013.
He spent time on loan from the Broncos at the Skolars in the League 1 in 2014.
London Skolars
Lovell joined the London Skolars ahead of the 2015 Championship 1 season. He spent two seasons at White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre, featuring prominently in both 2015 and 2016.
Return to the Broncos
After a successful spell in North London, Lovell stepped up a division and signed a three-month deal with his former club ahead of the 2017 season. He was injured and took on a community role in lieu of his playing contract being extended.
He returned to the club as a player ahead of the 2018 season, playing mainly as a second-row forward. He played a pivotal role in the Broncos' successful 2018 season, the culmination of which was their 4-2 win over the Toronto Wolfpack in the Million Pound Game to earn promotion to Super League in 2019.[10]
Following the clubs relegation from the Super League Lovell was named captain of the club ahead of the 2020 season, and also returned to playing as a centre.
In June 2022 Lovell suffered a suspected fractured neck against Workington Town at Derwent Park. He was stretchered off and then rushed to hospital in an ambulance. He missed only one match, with the injury not being as bad as initially feared.[11]
On 15 October 2023, Lovell played in the London Broncos upset Million Pound Game victory over Toulouse Olympique.[12]
Lovell's long-held role as captain was handed to newcomer Reagan Campbell-Gillard ahead of the 2026 RFL Championship season.[13]
On 15 March 2026 he played his 200th career game for the London Broncos, in their 1895 Cup Preliminary Round victory over the Barrow Raiders at Richmond's Athletic Ground.[14][15]
Club statistics
Personal life
Lovell is a qualified PE teacher. He combines his rugby league training and playing duties with teaching commitments at Milbourne Lodge School.[18]
References
- ^ "The official Engage Super League web site". web page. Super League. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
- ^ "Player Summary: Will Lovell". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club.
- ^ http://www.londonbroncosrl.com/rugby/fixturesandresults/squad_first_xiii.php Archived 2014-10-16 at the Wayback Machine London Official
- ^ "Players".
- ^ a b "Will Lovell - Playing Career - RLP".
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ St Mary’s Alumnus Will Lovell Talks about his Rugby Journey
- ^ Northampton born Will Lovell named captain of rugby league team London Broncos
- ^ Will Lovell: New London Broncos captain's 'crazy' career route
- ^ "Toronto 2-4 London: Broncos shock Wolfpack to earn 2019 Super League place". Sky Sports. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Broncos captain suffers major injury in Town game
- ^ "Championship Grand Final: Toulouse 14-18 London Broncos - Capital club back in Super League". BBC Sport. 15 October 2023.
- ^ London Broncos name 2026 captain as ‘real leader’ appointed
- ^ Match Report: Barrow Raiders
- ^ London Broncos too strong for Barrow Raiders in 1895 Cup
- ^ "Player Summary: Will Lovell". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club.
- ^ "loverugbyleague".
- ^ London Broncos captain Will Lovell targets play-offs and return to Super League