Merthyr Tydfil to host rugby league THIS SUNDAY

The Wern in Merthyr Tydfil is holding its first ever rugby league game a few months ahead of schedule after Wales Rugby League moved their representative match there for this coming Sunday.

Wales Dragonhearts, the representative side of the community clubs in the country are taking on Devon County in a warm-up game before they take on Germany away from home in a full international next month.

This Sunday’s match kicks off at 2.30pm and the sides will feature representatives from all over their respective areas.

Wales Dragonhearts v Devon County was originally meant to be played at Cardiff Metropolitan University but the decision to move it to the new home of the rebranded South Wales Ironmen was taken after the university’s rugby union side organised extra training sessions for the same day.

However it turns out that this has been to Wales’ benefit. Not only will the players get to turn out on the best 4G rugby surface in the country, but the Ironmen are covering all costs of the game.

WRL’s national development manager Idris Evans said: “Thanks to South Wales Ironmen who have agreed to host and fund this international at short notice.

“I spoke to the Ironmen yesterday and it’s a massive thanks to Neil Williams and Marc Lovering for not only organising this venue at short notice but to cover all costs so players need to pay less money out for their trip to Germany.

“All money from the gate will now go into the pot to fund the next month’s international.

“Please do your best to come and support the side this Sunday, plus of course, support the Ironmen when they play at The Wern in Merthyr Tydfil from 2017.”

Admission to Wales Dragonhearts v Devon County at The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil this Sunday 2^nd October, costs £4 for adults, £2 for children. Kick-off is 2.30pm.

Wales Dragonhearts named their squad last week. It is as follows…

1. Louis Ford  (Swansea University)
   2. Jamie Marsh (Valley Cougars)
   3. Josh Taylor (West Wales Raiders)
   4. Sam Baker (Torfaen Tigers)
   5. Mathew Davies (West Wales Raiders)
   6. Curtis Ford (West Wales Raiders)
   7. Bradley Williams (Cardiff City RL)
   8. Louis Pengelly (C) (Torfaen Tigers)
   9. Kieron Hooper (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
   10. Rhys Davies (Valley Cougars)
   11. Jonny Rae (Chester Gladiators)
   12. Craig Lewis (Valley Cougars)
   13. Aaron Lewis (West Wales Raiders)
   14. Scott Giles (VC) (Valley Cougars)
   15. Ross Price (Valley Cougars)
   16. Daf Phillips (West Wales Raiders)
   17. Ben Swift (Swansea University)
   18. Yousif Sulliman (Valley Cougars)

DEVON COUNTY (from):

Oliver Hill (Devon Sharks – captain)

Marcus Phillips (Devon Sharks)

Sam Conway (Exeter Centurions)

Ben Spear (Devon Sharks)

Jamie Grant (Somerset Vikings)

Kye Munslow (Devon Sharks)

Liam Cashman (Bath Romans)

Tom Plance (Bath and Wiltshire Romans)

Stef Richards (Exeter Centurions)

Jon Ross (Devon Sharks)

Will Sanders (Devon Sharks)

Joseph Briggs (Devon Sharks)

Ben Sharples (Devon Sharks)

Jack Sweeney (Devon Sharks)

Jack Carlisle (Devon Sharks)

Josh Mackin (Devon Sharks)

Rory Smith (Exeter Centurions)

Luke Wilson (Devon Sharks)