Wales announce Four Nations squad

Correspondent 18 Oct 2011 9:50 AM

Wales Rugby League have released their 24-man squad for their Gillette Four Nations campaign which starts with a warm-up match against Ireland this Saturday at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 6pm).

The squad contains three potential new caps in Crusaders’ Peter Lupton who qualifies under the three-year residency rule, plus two Australian-based players – Matt Seamark who plays for Brisbane Broncos‘ feeder side Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Tyson Frizell, from Sydney-based NRL side Cronulla Sharks, both of whom have Welsh-born fathers.

Out of the 24, half played their Rugby League in Wales throughout 2011, nine for the Crusaders and three for South Wales Scorpions. In addition, Warrington Wolves’ Rhys Williams, who needs to score just three tries this year to surpass his coach as Wales’ record try scorer, spent some time on loan at Crusaders earlier this year.

The full squad come together for the first time this week after training mainly in north and south camps over the past month.

Wales coach Iestyn Harris said: “It was difficult to reduce a 35-man train-on squad to this squad of 24 but I think we’ve got a good mix of youth and experience.

“It is in the main, quite a youthful squad with only six of our squad aged in their 30s, the rest of the players all being in their 20s. But they are full of enthusiasm for Wales and are determined to do well. We’ve a tough competition ahead of us but we know that we can handle it and we’re looking forward to getting out there.

“This Saturday’s game against Ireland in Neath is so important to us. A few of our players will have had more game-time than others over the last month or two so we need to find out exactly where we are as a squad before we take on England.”

Wales kick-off their international season with a warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday 22nd October at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 6pm). Tickets are priced £5 for concessions and £10 for adults in advance, going up to £6 and £12 respectively on the day. They can be bought by going to www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk.

Wales squad:

Chris Beasley – Central Comets (Australia)

Andy Bracek – Crusaders

Lee Briers – Warrington Wolves

Neil Budworth – MacKay Cutters (Australia)

Ross Divorty – Featherstone Rovers

Gil Dudson – Crusaders

Ben Flower – Crusaders

Tyson Frizell – Cronulla Sharks (Australia)

Andrew Gay – South Wales Scorpions

Aled James – South Wales Scorpions

Jordan James – Crusaders