THE opening games of the second season of the WRL Wheelchair Invitational League will take place at Croesyceiliog School next weekend.
The Argonauts, from Kent, won the inaugural title last year, and they’ll feature in the first match of the season as they take on hosts Torfaen Tigers (kick-off 9.30am) on Saturday, April 20.
It’s part of a triple-header of Wheelchair Rugby League action at the venue where The Argonauts take on new side Crusaders Celts in the second game, with the Tigers and the Celts then facing off in game three.
Crusaders Celts are the second side from north Wales in the league and will be based at Deeside Leisure Centre.
Such was the success and popularity of the first season, where all games are available to watch on YouTube, this year’s campaign has been extended and all sides will now play 12 games in the regular season, compared to the four that they all played last year.
Each side will host two triple-headers and travel away four times, playing two games on each matchday.
Round one is completed on April 27, when Hereford Harriers host North Wales Crusaders and Cardiff Blue Dragons at Leominster Leisure Centre.
Stephen Jones, the head of Wheelchair RL in Wales, said: “Part of the feedback that we had was that sides wanted to play a longer season and more than one game in a day, so we’re delighted that we’ve been able to accommodate that.
“We now have an even spread of sides, with two in north Wales, two in south Wales and two in the south of England, but that’s just the start.
“We’ve had interest from other clubs already for 2025, so watch this space for more expansion as we continue to develop players ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which we’ve already qualified for.”
Teams are only allowed to field one “elite” player at one time. An elite player is someone who has played for a Super League club or been part of an international side this year.
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