10th September 2012

Strong Welsh squad announced

Head coach Iestyn Harris has named a strong Welsh squad for next month’s Triangular Series with France and England.

The 32-man squad is boosted by the return of four senior players: Gil Dudson; Ben Flower; Craig Kopczak and Elliot Kear. Injury forced the quartet to sit out the 28-16 defeat by France at Wrexham in June.

The series is crucial to Harris’s Rugby league World Cup 2013 preparations.

“These are two enormous games for us” admits Harris, “but crucial to our build-up and development for the 2013 World Cup which we are co-hosting.

“We have players with a lot of experience at international and Super League level in the squad and so they are used to facing the big names that England will probably put out against us in Wrexham on October 27.

“But we are also looking to give some of the youngsters we expect to be senior side regulars in a few years the chance to taste life with the main squad.

“This selection is about progressing for the future, and some of the players chosen are making great strides with our national squads and through their own clubs.”

Wales squad (v France and England. October): Elliot Kear (Bradford Bulls), Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves), Mike Channing (London Broncos), Christian Roets (North Wales Crusaders), Andrew Gay (Mackay Cutters, Australia), Danny Jones (Keighley Cougars), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Matt Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Australia), David James (South Wales Scorpions), Jordan James (Salford City Reds), Gil Dudson, Ben Flower (both Wigan), Craig Kopczak (Bradford), Dan Flemming (Castleford Tigers), Ian Webster (Central Queensland Comets, Australia), Rhodri Lloyd (Wigan Warriors), Lee Williams (Mackay Cutters, Australia), Andy Bracek (Barrow Raiders), Ross Divorty (Halifax), Steve Parry (South Wales Scorpions), Neil Budworth (Mackay Cutters, Australia), Tom Morton (Newcastle Kinghts), Joe Burke (South Wales Scorpions), Jake Emmit (Castleford Tigers), Craig Moss (Keighley Cougars), Jack Pring (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Evans (Warrington Wolves), Rhys Pugsley (Wigan Warriors), Alex Jones, Osian Phillips, Courtney Davies (all South Wales Scorpions Under-18), Owain Brown (North Wales Crusaders).

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