Mid-season test for Wales and France
Wales will take on France in a mid-season international at The Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium in Wrexham on Saturday 16th June.
They revealed the fixture as part of their 2012 international schedule, which will also include a tri-nations tournament against England and France at the end of the season.
Wales last took on France in October 2010 in Albi when an 86th minute Lloyd White penalty gave Wales a 12-11 win and qualification for the 2011 Four Nations tournament.
The fixture is the culmination of a week’s worth of Rugby League in the town with Glyndwr University set to host the annual British and Irish Student international tournament between Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland from June 11th.
Wales coach Iestyn Harris is delighted at that his side will be getting a summer test-match for the first time since 2001.
“To be able to put on a mid-season test shows a bit of progression to where we’ve come as we’ve not been in the position to do that in years gone by,” he said. “Hopefully this will increase to two or three in years to follow.
“It’s going to be more difficult for us as there are a good number of our squad playing Rugby League in Australia and we won’t be able to call on them for this match. But this means that a number of other players will get the opportunity to play and prove that they are good enough to be in the squad for the end of the year.
“It’s a progression game for us. Can we compete against a very strong French side with a couple of numbers down? It’s an important game for us to see where we’ve come as a squad. It’ll be an interesting game.
“France have changed coaches, we don’t know who their new coach is yet, but their new structure will be in place so it’ll be an important game for them too as they’ll also be putting their structures into place. It’ll be a tough physical battle but one we’ll look forward to.
“It’s going to be a big week for Wrexham and for Wales. We want more and more people wanting to play and watch Rugby League in Wales. To have the Student Home Nations there is fantastic too.”
Wales’ full international season continues in the autumn with a Tri-Nations tournament against England and France and Harris is pleased with the commitment shown by all three countries as they all look to field their first choice line-ups.
“We spoke post Four Nations about having a tough elite competition this season leading into the World Cup for our development and that probably ticks the box,” Harris said. “I know that England are going into it full guns blazing and will be fielding their best side. For us as a group it’s about progression, seeing that we’re good enough to compete against England and France, and seeing how we’ve progressed since the Four Nations.”
Details of ticket prices will be released next month.
WALES SENIOR SIDE FIXTURES 2012
Wales v France, Test Match, Saturday 16th June, Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham, kick-off TBC
France v Wales, , International Triangular Series, Weekend of October 20-21, Perpignan, kick-off TBC
Wales v England, International Triangular Series, Weekend of October 27-28, Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham, kick-off TBC
International Triangular Series Final, Weekend of November 10-11, Venue and kick-off TBC
