Wales Rugby League have selected a strong 20-man Wales Students squad for next week’s Four Nations tournament in Nottingham where they will take on England, Scotland and Ireland.
The Students have been training hard for this tournament and following a friendly match win over Valley Cougars last week, followed by a training weekend in North Wales, new coach Latham Tawhai feels that he has the right side to defend their trophy that they won two years ago in Wrexham.
Wales’ gain is South Wales Scorpions’ loss. The Scorpions will be severely understrength for their visit to London Skolars this Sunday as Jordan Sheridan, Connor Farrer, Mike Connor, Owain Davies, Harrison Elliott, Osian Phillips and Alex Randall, all first team squad members at the Championship 1 club, have been selected.
Former London Wasps, RGC1404 and North Wales Crusaders half-back Lewys Weaver also offers professional experience as does former South Wales Scorpions junior and first team player Luke Kell who is now at his local club Gloucestershire All Golds and the University of Gloucestershire.
Wales face Ireland on Sunday then a quick turnaround to play Scotland on Tuesday before their final game on Friday against England. Hosts England will be the favourites after their excellent performances in last year’s World Cup but Tawhai says that his players will definitely be up for the challenge.
He said: “It was an extremely difficult task narrowing our squad down to 20 but we feel we've got a good mix to help get us through the rigorous task of three games in six days - with two of those in just three days!
“Nearly half of the squad represented Wales Students in last year’s World Cup and their experiences of what will be required will help considerably.
“The players can't wait. They’re a passionate bunch with great attitudes and work ethic and that really showed in last weekend’s training camp.
“You can never predict which way a game is going to go but as long as your players are willing to work hard and be proactive you're in a good place to combat most things thrown at you. So the attitude and work ethic shown by the boys on the weekend will really benefit us going in to the tournament.
“We'll get together again on Saturday for a final team run then it's all on. I hope a few fans can make it up to support us - I know that the boys would really appreciate it.”
WALES SQUAD: Rhys Morgan (Aberystwyth University), Ben Stelmaszak (Bangor University), Lewys Weaver (Blackpool and the Fylde College), Alex King, Marcus Webb (both Bridgend College), Jordan Sheridan (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Connor Farrer (Coleg y Cymoedd), Lewis Stockton (College Llandrillo), Tom Hughes, Lloyd Thomas, Tristan Trehan (all Loughborough University), Tom Davies (Reaseheath College), Morgan Evans (University of Bath), Luke Kell (University of Gloucestershire), Mike Connor, Owain Davies, Harrison Elliott, Jono Jones, Osian Phillips, Alex Randall (all University of South Wales).
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