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Mike McMeeken

Mike McMeeken
Personal information
Full nameMichael Joseph McMeeken[1]
Born (1994-05-10) 10 May 1994 (age 30)
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
Height6 ft 5 in (1.95 m)
Weight15 st 13 lb (101 kg)[2]
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012–14 London Broncos 37 5 0 0 20
2014(DR) → London Skolars 3 1 0 0 4
2014(DR) → Hemel Stags 2 0 0 0 0
2015–20 Castleford Tigers 139 34 0 0 136
2021–24 Catalans Dragons 81 17 0 0 68
2025– Wakefield Trinity 0 0 0 0 0
Total 262 57 0 0 228
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– England 12 1 0 0 4
Source: [3][4]
As of 27 October 2024

Michael Joseph McMeeken (born 10 May 1994) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row or prop forward for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League and England at international level.

He has previously played for the London Broncos, the Castleford Tigers and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. He has spent time on dual registration at London Skolars and Hemel Stags in League One.

McMeeken represents England at international level and featured in the 2017 and 2021 Rugby League World Cups.

Background

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McMeeken was born in Basingstoke, and raised in Fleet, Hampshire, England.[5]

He initially played rugby union from an early age, but was introduced to rugby league at ten years old, and began playing for amateur side West London Sharks.[6][7]

Club career

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London Broncos

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He started his professional career at London Broncos, making his senior début in 2012. During the 2014 season, he scored his first try for the club in a defeat against Salford Red Devils.[8] He also spent time at Championship One clubs London Skolars and Hemel Stags on dual-registration.[9][10]

Castleford Tigers

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Following London's relegation from Super League at the end of the 2014 season, McMeeken joined Castleford Tigers on a two-year deal.[11] He then signed a two-year extension, keeping him at Castleford until 2018.[12]

In 2017, McMeeken signed a further two-year extension until the end of the 2020 season.[13] He played in the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by Leeds at Old Trafford.[14][15][16]

Catalans Dragons

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In December 2020, McMeeken signed a two-year contract with Catalans Dragons.[17] On 9 October 2021, he played for Catalans Dragons in their 2021 Super League Grand Final defeat against St Helens.[18]

In April 2022, McMeeken signed a two-year contract extension with Catalans.[19] On 14 October 2023, McMeeken played in Catalans 2023 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.[20]

Wakefield Trinity

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On 3 May 2024, it was reported that he had signed for Wakefield Trinity on a four-year deal.[21]

International career

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In 2011, McMeeken was selected in the England academy squad.[7]

In February 2017, he was included in the England elite performance squad announced by coach Wayne Bennett.[22] In May 2017, McMeeken made his international début for the England senior team in the 30–10 victory over Samoa in Campbelltown, Australia.[23] He was also selected in the England squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup,[24] making one appearance during the tournament in England's 36–6 win against France.[25]

McMeeken was recalled to the England setup in 2022, and was selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. He played in four of England's five games, scoring his first international try against Greece.[26]

In 2024, McMeeken played from the bench in both tests during the two-match home test series against Samoa.[27][28]

Club statistics

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Appearances and points in all competitions by year
Club Season Tier App T G DG Pts
London Broncos 2012 Super League 3 0 0 0 0
2013 Super League 13 0 0 0 0
2014 Super League 21 5 0 0 20
Total 37 5 0 0 20
→ London Skolars (DR) 2014 League One 3 1 0 0 4
→ Hemel Stags (DR) 2014 League One 2 0 0 0 0
Castleford Tigers 2015 Super League 20 2 0 0 8
2016 Super League 23 7 0 0 28
2017 Super League 32 9 0 0 36
2018 Super League 26 9 0 0 36
2019 Super League 22 3 0 0 12
2020 Super League 16 4 0 0 16
Total 139 34 0 0 136
Catalans Dragons 2021 Super League 25 11 0 0 44
2022 Super League 14 1 0 0 4
2023 Super League 27 4 0 0 16
2024 Super League 15 1 0 0 4
Total 81 17 0 0 68
Wakefield Trinity 2025 Super League 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 262 57 0 0 228
As of match played 14 September 2024

References

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  1. ^ "Michael Joseph McMeeken personal appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Mike McMeeken biography". Castleford Tigers. 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Player Summary: Mike McMeeken". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Mike McMeeken - Playing Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "From Basingstoke to Perpignan: Mike McMeeken takes the road less travelled to World Cup". The Times. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  6. ^ Smith, Peter (28 November 2014). "Castleford Tigers: McMeeken intent on earning his stripes". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Harlequins' Mike McMeekan selected for England academy". BBC Sport. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Red Devils too good for Broncos". Eurosport. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Gateshead Thunder 24 London Skolars 16". London Skolars. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Bloomfield's road to recovery". Oldham Evening Chronicle. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  11. ^ Bower, Aaron (11 September 2014). "Cas sign London Broncos duo Moore and McMeeken". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  12. ^ "Mike McMeeken: Castleford Tigers forward extends deal". BBC Sport. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Mike McMeeken: Castleford Tigers second row signs two-year contract extension". BBC Sport. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  16. ^ "Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Mike McMeeken: Castleford's England international forward joins Catalans Dragons". BBC Sport. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10-12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row". BBC Sport.
  19. ^ "Mike McMeeken: Catalans Dragons back-rower signs two-year extension". BBC Sport. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  20. ^ Bower, Aaron (14 October 2023). "Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons". The Observer.
  21. ^ "McMeeken To Join Trinity". Wakefield Trinity. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Mike McMeeken quick to appreciate influence of Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell". Yorkshire Post. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  23. ^ "England v Samoa: Chris McQueen & Mike McMeeken to make international debuts". BBC Sport. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  24. ^ "England rugby league World Cup squad revealed - and James Roby is back in the fold". Mirror. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Fixtures". European Rugby League. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: England rout Greece with 17 tries as Dom Young helps secure Group A top spot". Sky Sports. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  27. ^ "England 34-18 Samoa". BBC Sport. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  28. ^ "England 34-16 Samoa". BBC Sport. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
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