Mike McMeeken (born 10 May 1994) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Wakefield Trinity in the Super League and England at international level.[5]
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| Full name | Michael Joseph McMeeken[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 May 1994 Basingstoke, Hampshire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 15 st 13 lb (101 kg)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 29 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He started his career in the Super League with the London Broncos, also playing on loan in League 1 at the London Skolars before joining the Tigers in 2015. He joined Catalans Dragons in December 2020, ahead of the 2021 season.[6]
Background
McMeeken was born in Basingstoke, and raised in Fleet, Hampshire, England.[7]
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.[8][9]
Club career
London Broncos
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.[10] He also spent time at Championship One clubs London Skolars and Hemel Stags on dual-registration.[11][12]
Castleford Tigers
Following London's relegation from Super League at the end of the 2014 season, McMeeken joined Castleford Tigers on a two-year deal.[13] He then signed a two-year extension, keeping him at Castleford until 2018.[14]
In 2017, McMeeken signed a further two-year extension until the end of the 2020 season.[15] He played in the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by Leeds at Old Trafford.[16][17][18]
Catalans Dragons
In December 2020, McMeeken signed a two-year contract with Catalans Dragons.[19] On 9 October 2021, he played for Catalans Dragons in their 2021 Super League Grand Final defeat against St Helens.[20]
In April 2022, McMeeken signed a two-year contract extension with Catalans.[21] On 14 October 2023, McMeeken played in Catalans 2023 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.[22]
Wakefield Trinity
On 3 May 2024, it was reported that he had signed for Wakefield Trinity on a four-year deal.[23]
International career
In 2011, McMeeken was selected in the England academy squad.[9]
In February 2017, he was included in the England elite performance squad announced by coach Wayne Bennett.[24] In May 2017, McMeeken made his international début for the England senior team in the 30–10 victory over Samoa in Campbelltown Australia.[25] He was also selected in the England squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup,[26] making one appearance during the tournament in England's 36–6 win against France.[27]
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.[28]
References
External links
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