Teenager James Woodburn-Hall is taking a week off school to join London Broncos on their pre-season trip to the south of France.

Woodburn-Hall, 17, a half-back who played for the Broncos’ Under-18s last year, was a late addition to coach Tony Rea’s squad when it flew out of London today.

He will be hoping to catch the eye in matches against Toulouse tomorrow and Catalan Dragons next Wednesday.

“James has trained with us when he can,” Rea said. “He is at a very important time with his schooling at the moment but he’s a guy that represents the good the club is doing down below.

“He’s not a token actually. He’s genuinely at the top end of our squad in contention so it’s good to have the opportunity to look at him.”

Woodburn-Hall, who started playing rugby league and basketball in year seven, joined West London Sharks and played county basketball before being selected for the London Broncos scholarship.

The Broncos will be without Michael Robertson (thigh strain), Dan Sarginson (hamstring) and Tony Clubb (illness) for a camp Rea believes will be crucial for team bonding ahead of their opening Super League game against Widnes Vikings on February 3.

“We’re going to do some things off the field that will be about being together and away from home,” he said.

“It’s a pretty tough environment as the weather isn’t going to be favourable, which is good news. Can we keep our spirits up? Do we let things get on top of us? It’s that sort of stuff.”