James Meadows believes London cannot be ignored as the Broncos home run begins

JAMES Meadows hopes to further prove to rugby league that London cannot be ignored when it comes to finding talent.

After five years, the top rugby competition returns to the capital tonight.

The Broncos’ top stay could be short-lived after they ranked a lowly 24th in IMG’s initial league table of clubs before coming in strong this year.

But after a stream of players at the club progressed to English honours, and in Kai Pearce-Paul’s case, the NRL, there is no doubting the potential.

And Teddington lad Meadows sees no reason why more people in the south can’t be set to the 13-a-side code, and why other clubs shouldn’t look there.

He said: “There is an insane amount of talent in London.

“It’s such a diverse community and a broad talent pool. If people don’t take advantage of it now, they’re missing a trick. That’s where the game should produce players.

“There will be a lot more coming through in the future. The London community game is growing and the game is here. We need to make sure that as many people from London as possible can find it.

“It’s not usual. There aren’t many rugby league players from Teddington, but my dad and granddad are from Leigh.

“More people are finding it. At home, more and more people I never thought would talk about the game are speaking up. Hopefully there will be more Teddington players in the future.

“And the club works so hard to do what it needs to do. A lot of people are putting in a lot of work in the background, I just hope this comes through.”

London’s life at the top began with defeat to a St Helens side doing everything they could to regain the Super League trophy.

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Now AFC Wimbledon’s Plow Lane will play host to the visit of the Catalans Dragons, with more than 4,500 people – more than double the number attending the last capital battle between the top-level sides – expected.

And Meadows will know better what boss Mike Eccles is saying as he remains coach of the Leeds University side even though he has returned from Batley.

The 24-year-old halfback added: “I have a bit more sympathy now. If I make a bad decision and he pulls out his hair, I understand it now.

“And I still do as much as I can at Leeds Uni, even though I live in London.”