photo by Ian Lovell

Welsh Rugby League coach John Dixon has included seven Celtic Crusaders players in 18-man squad for his first ever match in charge of the national side.

Wales face England in a one-off friendly match at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium on Friday 10th October.

The squad contains a blend of youth and experience as Wales look to build for the future.

There are four possible debutants for Wales, Geraint Davies, Lee Williams, Ben Flower, who play for the Celtic Crusaders, and also Rhys Williams who is on the books with Warrington.

Davies has been in the Crusaders’ first team squad for all three years of their existence and starred in their first ever game. He was in the Welsh training squad last year but failed to gain selection by then coach Martin Hall.

Lee Williams has also been with the Crusaders for three years but has played for their successful Colts side throughout 2008 and was their top try scorer this season.

Flower has been a Welsh success story this year. Formerly with Cardiff Demons academy, the 20-year old is in his first season in professional rugby league. He started 2008 with the Colts side but is now a first team regular.

Probably the most surprising name in the squad is that of 18 year-old Rhys Williams. Williams who hails from Rhyl Coasters in North Wales was the star performer for the Wales under 18s who won the European Under 18 Championships in Prague in September.

There are five Super League players in the Wales side – skipper David Mills from Hull Kingston Rovers, Dave Halley, Craig Kopzack and Matt James from Bradford Bulls and Andy Bracek from Warrington Wolves.

Leigh Centurions’ Ian Watson is Wales’ most experienced player. Making his debut in 1995 in Wales’ 92-4 win over USA in Philadelphia, he will win his 22nd cap on Friday week if selected, just six behind all time Welsh record holder Jim Sullivan.

The squad will go into camp this Sunday and train in Wales until Thursday when they will travel to Yorkshire for the match on Friday.

Andy Bracek Warrington Wolves
Geraint Davies Celtic Crusaders
Ben Flower Celtic Crusaders
Damien Gibson Halifax
Dave Halley Bradford Bulls
Aled James Celtic Crusaders
Jordan James Celtic Crusaders
Matt James Bradford Bulls
Craig Kopzcak Bradford Bulls
Mark Lennon Celtic Crusaders
David Mills (C) Hull Kingston Rovers
Sean Penkywicz Halifax
Robert Roberts Oldham
Bryn Powell Dewsbury Rams
Ian Watson Leigh Centurions
Ian Webster Celtic Crusaders
Lee Williams Celtic Crusaders
Rhys Williams Warrington Wolves

article by Ian Golden
30 September 2008