Kear has strong belief in Wales’ homegrown heroes

Wales coach John Kear is feeling positive ahead of his team’s concluding European Championship fixture against Ireland this Saturday.

With 13 out of the 20 named players born in Wales, and another four having come through Welsh development systems, rugby league is clearly growing in health in the Principality.

Kear spoke on the BBC recently about how excited he was to have so many Welsh accents in camp, and he is optimistic about the future of Welsh rugby league as a result.

But the heritage players from Super League have also helped put the Welsh in pole position to win the Championship title.

“We believe we can do it,” Kear added.

“There’s an air of confidence in the group and there are a lot of young men out there earning their stripes as well as the experienced players.

“People like Craig Kopczak and Phil Joseph made massive impacts coming into the squad whilst the young lads are improving and developing which bodes well for the future.”

WALES SQUAD

Michael Channing (Castleford Tigers), Morgan Evans, James Geurtjens (Coventry Bears), Dalton Grant (Dewsbury Rams), Courtney Davies, Steve Parry, Jamie Murphy, Lewis Reece (Gloucestershire All Golds), Craig Kopczak (Huddersfield Giants), Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (London Broncos), Joe Burke, Rob Massam, Christiaan Roets (North Wales Crusaders), Connor Farrer (South Wales Scorpions), Ollie Olds (Souths Logan Magpies, Australia), Regan Grace (St Helens), Anthony Walker (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), Phil Joseph (Widnes Vikings), Rhodri Lloyd (Wigan Warriors)