By Paul Jones
Wales rugby league coach John Kear believes his youthful squad can spark excitement for their forthcoming autumn internationals.
Kear has named a 26-man squad that includes 12 uncapped players for the matches against Jamaica and Serbia.
Led by captain Elliot Kear, the squad includes Keighley Cougars winger and former Aber Valley Wolves junior, Billy Walkley as one of the dozen uncapped players.
Under 19s international, Charlie Glover is in line for a first senior cap having made his Super League debut for Salford Red Devils last week and is joined in the squad by clubmates Gil Dudson and Joe Coope-Franklin.
https://twitter.com/EuroRugbyLeague/status/1838553632519684131
Leeds Rhinos Reserves captain, Ashton Robinson and St. Helens Academy graduate, Ben Lane are also named in a 26-player group.
“It’s fantastic that we will be back playing in Wales after so long away, before the opportunity to take a step closer to the next World Cup,” said head coach Kear.
“We have a mix of experienced heads and those who will be eager to make their mark on the international stage.
“A number of those players impressed us in the Chairman’s XIII fixture last season, and I’m sure that experience will have whetted the appetite even further for a first senior cap.”
https://twitter.com/WalesRugbyL/status/1838549015392121000
Rhys Williams could extend his record as Wales’ most capped men’s international player, as one of 13 players selected who featured in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
Kear will select an 18-player squad to face Jamaica at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath (Tuesday 15 October, 7.30pm), with 20 players travelling to France for the European World Cup qualifiers, that begin against Serbia in Carcassonne on Tuesday 22 October.
Should Wales beat Serbia, they will face the winners of France and Ukraine on Saturday 26 October in Perpignan for a place in the 2025 World Series, where the final places for the 2026 World Cup will be decided.
John Kear names Wales squad featuring two current Super League men https://t.co/9d3JnIc4qD
— Serious About Rugby League (@SeriousAboutRL) September 24, 2024
Just three weeks to go until our Men's team face Jamaica at The Lextan Gnoll, @neathrfc.
Tickets:
Adults: £7
Concessions/12-16 years: £3
11 and under: FreeBuy at https://t.co/Ua2Ldq1zV8
Hospitality is £50pp, including two-course meal and private bar. Contact @TheEventsRoom https://t.co/GdofwHBEDr pic.twitter.com/n4vpNAJ1g5
— Wales Rugby League (@WalesRugbyL) September 24, 2024
If Wales lose to Serbia then their 2026 World Cup hopes will be over and they will face the losers of the France and Ukraine match, also on Saturday 26 October.
Wales squad: Bailey Antrobus (York Knights), Harry Boots* (Cornwall), Sam Bowring* (Midlands Hurricanes), Mike Butt (Widnes Vikings), Max Clarke* (Barrow Raiders), Joe Coope-Franklin* (Salford Red Devils), Connor Davies (Halifax Panthers), Curtis Davies (Dewsbury Rams), Gil Dudson (Warrington Wolves), Will Evans (Whitehaven), Ben Evans (North Wales Crusaders), Jude Ferreira* (Hunslet RLFC), Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Charlie Glover* (Salford Red Devils), Elliot Kear (captain, Batley Bulldogs), Ben Lane* (St. Helens), Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes Vikings), Josh Ralph (St. George Illawarra Dragons), Owen Restall* (Dewsbury Rams), Luis Roberts, Ashton Robinson* (both Leeds Rhinos), Matt Ross* (Cornwall), Anthony Walker (Swinton Lions), Billy Walkley* (Keighley Cougars), Rhys Williams (Swinton Lions), Huw Worthington* (Whitehaven).
(*Denotes uncapped player)