Wales Wheelchair Rugby League have announced their squad for the 2019 Celtic Cup at Calderdale College in Halifax on Saturday 27th April as the Dragons attempt to win the trophy for a fourth successive year.
The tournament starts at 11am and will, as per usual, see three full-length 80 minute matches between Wales, Scotland and Ireland, who are this year’s official organisers.
Wales’ players are selected from just two clubs, Hereford Harriers and North Wales Crusaders, with Herford’s Phillip Davies the only newcomer to the squad.
The Welsh won the 2016 tournament in Blackpool, the first that they entered, beating Ireland 76-26 and Scotland 58-38. In 2017, Wales beat hosts Scotland 72-0 and Ireland 51-6 before recording a 112-41 win over Scotland and an 84-30 win against Ireland in Deeside last year.
Wales head coach Steve Jones said: “This is a very exciting squad with some great depth and experience. We are happy to see the return of Scotty Trigg-Turner to the squad as well as Phillip making his debut in the red shirt.
“We had a really great turnout in the trials and I think it’s one of the best squads we’ve put out, especially when you consider we are missing four good players due to injury and availability issues.”
Wheelchair Rugby League is played as five-a-side but is as similar to running Rugby League as possible. The game is played with an oval ball unlike the “Wheelchair Rugby” that was seen in the Olympics.
Tries are scored by placing the ball down on or over the line, while conversions and drop goals are taken with the players’ hands. It makes for an exciting sport that is enjoyed by many.
Go to http://www.rlif.com/ignite_docs/Wheelchair%20Rugby%20League%20Laws%20and%20Intepretations%202017%20Final.pdf to view the full official laws of Wheelchair Rugby League.
Watch last year’s Celtic Cup by going to https://www.facebook.com/pg/WalesWhRL/videos/
Wales squad (heritage number and caps in brackets): Alan Caron – vice-captain (#1, 26 caps), Phillip Davies (0 caps), Scotty Trigg-Turner (#7, 5 caps) – all Hereford Harriers. Stephen Halsey (#32, 2 caps), Harry Jones (#14, 23 caps), John Doyle (#29, 12 caps), Lucie Roberts (#31, 2 caps), Gary Taylor (#23, 20 caps), Stuart Williams – captain (#26, 15 caps) – all North Wales Crusaders.
Head Coach: Stephen Jones, Assistant Coach: Lyndon Price, Team Manager: Mark Andrew Jones, Commercial Manager: Sarah-Anne Evans.