Wheelchair Super League Grand Final: Leeds and Wigan’s rich history will feed into Sunday’s final, says Rhinos head coach

Leeds coach James Simpson took up wheelchair rugby league after losing both legs during his military service in Afghanistan; he led the Rhinos to three Challenge Cup victories as a player and two Super League titles; watch Sunday’s final live on Sky Sports Arena from 5 p.m. (5:30 p.m. start)

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Leeds Rhinos head coach James Simpson says his side’s historic Super League rivalry with Wigan Warriors will fuel Sunday’s Wheelchair Super League Grand Final.

Leeds Rhinos head coach James Simpson says his side’s historic rivalry with Wigan Warriors will fuel Sunday’s Wheelchair Super League grand final between the teams.

Simpson, who joined wheelchair rugby league after losing both legs during his military service in Afghanistan, led the Rhinos to three consecutive Challenge Cup victories as a player, as well as two Super Cup titles. League in 2018 and 2021, before retiring earlier this year.

He now leads the team as coach to their final against Wigan at the National Basketball Center in Belle Vue, available to watch live on Sky Sports Arena from 5 p.m. (departure at 5:30 p.m.) on Sunday.

Simpson enjoyed a trophy-laden career as a player with Leeds Rhinos

Just 24 hours earlier, at Old Trafford, Wigan will also feature in the Super League grand final against the Catalans Dragons – also live Air Sports Arena from 5 p.m. (start 6 p.m.) on Saturday.

When asked what fans can expect from wheelchair rugby league, Simpson said Aerial sports: “You’ll see the skills you see in rugby league, the physicality, the gladiatorial nature, the teamwork, the energy and how hard people have to dig to win this. It’s just in an armchair rolling.”

As for what his Rhinos side can expect from Wigan, Simpson said of their opponents: “I know them very well. I know they will be prepared for that final. They will definitely want it, they will want to beat Leeds. .

Simpson will lead his team to Sunday’s Super League grand final in a wheelchair for the first time as head coach.

“They are two Super League clubs with a rich history, and that also feeds into the wheelchair teams.

“For this reason we are also expecting a huge crowd – Leeds on one side, Wigan on the other, a very noisy atmosphere.”

He added: “This is not our first final. We have been to many finals over the years, so we are ready for it.

“We can handle this big occasion and we want to go out there and put on a really good show for everyone watching.

“I hope this spectacle allows us to lift that shiny new trophy at the end of Sunday.”

Watch the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors, live on Sky Sports Arena on Sunday from 5pm (5.30pm start). Stream Rugby League and other top sports with NOW .