Leeds Rhinos' Nathan Collins seeks double glory in Wheelchair Challenge Cup final

It's fast, frenetic, skilful and quickly becoming one of rugby league’s big attractions.

Wheelchair rugby league looks to showcase its growing appeal again today when Leeds Rhinos face newcomers Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup final. Many of those involved warmed up for the event when starring in last week’s epic international between England and reigning world champions France. Leeds’ skilful Nathan Collins won plenty of admirers for his classy performance in helping England prosper 62-48.

And now he’s looking to back it up as Rhinos aim to retain the Cup they won as part of last year’s historic treble success. Collins said: "For me, Tom Halliwell and Josh Butler, it was a really good game to also get us going for this weekend with Leeds. It was a hard match against some of the Catalans players who’ll be playing in the Challenge Cup final as well. Hopefully we can do it again and I believe we can.”

Wheelchair rugby league is the most inclusive and accessible variant of the sport for all abilities. It offers both disabled and - like Collins - non-disabled players the chance to compete with and against each other. No matter what gender or age, all players in the five-a-side games compete on a level playing field.

Conversions are scored by punching the ball over the mini-posts from a tee and tackles are made in the same way as Tag Rugby by pulling off an attached tag. But some of the collisions as players manoeuvre around the court are colossal. Collins admitted: “It can be brutal but I’ve played this sport for close to 12 years now and I’ve kind of got used to the hits.

“They still get me now and again but once you’re in the middle you’re focused just on what’s ahead. I do love it. I could talk about it all day.