WALES will take on England in two physical disability rugby league international matches with the first encounter at Pontypool United RFC a week on Saturday.
The Welsh side will have home advantage in Gwent on August 31 (kick-off 2pm) before playing a return leg on the afternoon of Saturday, October 12 at Salford City Roosters RLFC, with the players and officials from both sides then attending the Super League grand final.
Wales head coach Rob Davies has named his squad for the first match with Simon Kilday of Torfaen Tigers a potential new cap.
He is one of a six-strong Tigers contingent with Sam Bowditch, Dylan Gimber, Morgan Jones, Dan Saunders, Gareth Sullivan all set to add to their previous international outings.
Physical disability rugby league is a running, mixed contact adaption of the sport played by players with a range of impairments that limit their mobility or coordination.
“We’ve had a busy year to date, adding depth and quality to our squad,” said Davies, whose side faced Team Colostomy UK in Pontypridd and World All Stars PDRL in Swansea.
“We showed glimpses in the two games at the start of the year of what we’re capable of and I’m excited to give a warm Gwent Valleys welcome to the world champions and see how far we’ve come as a group.”
Admission to the match costs £5 for adults, £3 concessions and is free for the under-16s.
The match is a culmination of a weekend of international rugby league with Wales Masters taking on Canada at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday, August 30 (kick-off 7pm).
Wales PDRL squad: Paul O’Keefe, Chris Spriggs (Aberavon FI Wolfhounds), Justin Martin (Cardiff Blue Dragons), Dylan Hughes, Isaac Pickett, Chris Young (Leeds Rhinos), Kieran Gardner, Tyma Hughes, Paul Jones, Stewart Newton, Conor Rice (all Salford Red Devils), Sam Bowditch, Dylan Gimber, Morgan Jones, Simon Kilday*, Dan Saunders, Gareth Sullivan (all Torfaen Tigers). Ben Lewis, Leif Thobroe (unattached).
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