A GLADIATORS reunion is no longer on the cards when London Broncos travel to Leeds on Sunday.
In the quarter-finals of the BBC show, Broncos back Emily Bell took on Leeds’ backrow Ella Donnelly.
The latter won the head-to-head battle, but Bell still claimed a semi-final spot after being the fastest runner-up to complete the eliminator challenge.
The show was filmed last summer, so the pair had no idea their teams would come up against each other in the Challenge Cup this year.
When the cup schedule was announced, it was a match Bell, who went on to win the Gladiators final, was keen to be involved with – but a shoulder injury means she will sit it out.
“I was really looking forward to the start of the season,” she said.
“I had done all the preparation and training, but then hurt my shoulder playing rugby union.
“It’s not a long-term problem, but I still have a few weeks to go with my recovery. I’ll miss the Challenge Cup games but should be okay for most of the league season.
“I was really looking forward to the chance of going up against Ella again, so that Leeds versus Broncos game was one I really didn’t want to miss, and it’s very frustrating I will be.”
Image: BBC/Hungry Bear/Graeme Hunter