photo by Ian Lovell

Former Welsh international and current Hull Kingston Rovers coach Justin Morgan, has warned the Wales will be no pushovers when they take on England in the Gillette Fusion International on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Morgan, along with Iestyn Harris and Anthony Seibold are currently assisting new Welsh coach John Dixon in the Welsh camp in Cardiff as the Dragons prepare for their tough test in Doncaster which can be seen live on Sky Sports.

Wales will be going up north with a young squad but they will hope to put a large dent into England’s World Cup preparations.

 “It’ll be a challenge because we’ve only had this week to prepare ourselves,” Morgan said.

“From the Welsh point of view we’re disappointed not to be going to the World

Cup and this game provides us with a good hit out.

Morgan, who has successfully coached Hull Kingston Rovers to two successive wins over old rivals Hull FC at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, was a Welsh squad member during the last World Cup and remembers fondly taking on the likes of Australia and New Zealand, the latter also at the Millennium Stadium.

“Traditionally, Wales have always gone well against the bigger nations like Australia and England, and I know all the players are excited by the chance of playing for Wales,” he adds.

“We’ve a number of new players in the side who are keen to make an impact and where better to start than against England. It’ll be a difficult game on Friday but we’re going to give it a good shot.”

Dixon has called up two more players from his own Celtic Crusaders club for the match following the withdrawal of Bradford Bulls forward Matt James, who has an ankle injury, and Dewsbury Rams winger Bryn Powell, who is unavailable.

The addition of Crusaders’ Gil Dudson and Barrie Phillips takes the club’s contingent in the 19-man squad to nine.

article by Ian Golden
7 October 2008