SUPER LEAGUE STARS’ RETURN BOOSTS WALES

By Peter Tiffin

John Kear has named his 29-man train-on squad for Wales’ 2017 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers this autumn.

Super League stars Gil Dudson, Rhys Evans, Ben Flower and Lloyd White will all make their return to the Dragons squad.

Meanwhile, Wales will again be able to call upon the experience of the likes of Phil Joseph, Elliot Kear, skipper Craig Kopczak and Rhys Williams.

Courtney Davies and Oli Olds will be hoping to continue their development, after they both had superb European Championship campaigns in 2015, when they were up against experienced halfbacks in Scotland’s Danny Brough and Ireland’s Liam Finn.

Wales will face Serbia on Saturday, October 15 at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli, before travelling to Monza to face Italy on Saturday, October 29.

After winning the European Championship in 2015, Kear and his side will want to achieve further success by qualifying for next year’s World Cup.

Wales’ 29-man train-on squad is as follows: Dan Fleming (Bradford Bulls), Dalton Grant (Dewsbury Rams), Michael Channing (Featherstone Rovers), Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (London Broncos), Andrew Gay (Mackay Cutters), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Joe Burke (Oldham), Phil Joseph (Vice Captain) Craig Kopczak (Captain) (Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), Oliver Olds (South Logan Magpies), Courtney Davies, Connor Farrer, Ian Newbury, Christiaan Roets (South Wales Ironmen), Regan Grace, Morgan Knowles, Calvin Wellington (St Helens), Jake Emmitt, Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), Morgan Evans, Steve Parry, Lewis Reece (University of Gloucestershire All Golds), Anthony Walker (Wakefield Wildcats), Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Gil Dudson, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings) and Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors)

2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

POOL A

15 October 2016 – Wales v Serbia, Stebonheath Park, Llanelli (BUY TICKETS HERE)

29 October 2016 – Italy v Wales, Stadio Brianteo, Monza]