Gwent duo keen to bring success to Wales

Newport-born duo Joe Burke and Dalton Grant are hoping to play in the full Wales team for the first time together in Wrexham this weekend.

John Kear’s Welsh side take on Ireland in Wrexham, and the two players, who were born at the Royal Gwent hospital in Newport just 17 days apart from each other, are hoping to be part of the occasion.

The two players have featured together in teams at every level from junior rugby to Super League, and now have the chance of playing in the same Wales team.

They have previously played for Newport Titans, Crusaders reserves, South Wales Scorpions and Wales under-18s, and even featured for the old Crusaders team in Super League.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Burke

“Obviously I had a taste for it playing against Scotland. Ireland beat France well so I think it’ll be a good test for us. I just hope we can kick on from the France game on the weekend.

“We’re in for some intense training sessions this week to rectify any problems in both attack and defence. We’ve got our heads screwed on and we’ll prepare well for Sunday.”

Wales are going into the game against the Irish on the back of a heavy defeat in France in and an opening day loss to Scotland at Workington.

Grant is hoping for a big improvement from John Kear’s side in Wrexham ater last week’s battle in the heat of Albi.

“It was a hot day,” he said.

“France started well and we got in the arm wrestle towards the end of the game but it was too late then. If we can take how we played at the end of the France game into the Ireland match this Sunday then we’ll do well.”