Harris: Wales can improve on last year

Wales coach Iestyn Harris believes his side can improve on last year’s performance when they face England at Bridgend tomorrow (Saturday).

England ran out 74-0 winners at Doncaster before heading to the 2008 World Cup for which Wales had been unable to qualify.

Harris – who replaces John Dixon as Wales boss – says his players are looking to put that heavy defeat behind them.

“Last year was very disappointing and I think that did a lot of damage to Welsh rugby league,” said Harris. “We’re going to try and repair a little bit of that and conduct ourselves in the right way this week.

“We’re not going to say it’s going to be easy. England are an extremely good side. They’ve got elite players all over the field.

“You look at the competitiveness of Super League this year and he [England coach Tony Smith] has got so many good players to pick from.

“But it’s a challenge for us and that’s what sport’s all about, challenging yourself. The guys are looking forward to it.” 

Wales begin their European Cup campaign by taking on Serbia in Smederevo on Sunday October 25th and face Ireland at Pontypridd the following week.