Paul Berry has named a 19-man squad for the two senior men’s internationals against Ireland.
Wales will face Ireland at The Gnoll in Neath on Saturday 25th October, 3pm, and once again at the home of Featherstone Rovers on Saturday 1st November (3pm).
Rhodri Lloyd, who became Wales’ youngest ever senior men’s team player in 2010 when he’d just turned 17, will bow out of rugby league following the two Wales matches. He announced his retirement at the end of the recent domestic season, where he was playing with Widnes Vikings.
There are five potential new caps in a squad that contains a mixture of youth and experience, as Berry looks towards the 2030 Rugby League World Cup.
Hull FC’s Denive Balmforth, who will be 22 years old by the time of the first match, is the most experienced of the five, with 39 Super League appearances already to his name.
Salford’s Charlie Glover and Halifax’s Owen Restall were both in the Wales squad in 2023, playing in a exhibition match against Cumbria. Glover made his Super League debut this season, going over for his first senior try against Hull KR in July.
Wigan’s Sam Dickenson has been starring in their academy side and captained the under 16s to the Four Nations title in 2024.
Finally, Lloyd McEwan-Peters will hope to celebrate his 20th birthday on October 25th with a first senior cap. He last pulled on a Wales shirt in 2022 with the U16s.
“This Autumn is the start of putting ourselves in the best position we can to qualify for the World Cup in 2030,” said Berry.
“It’s an opportunity for some young players to start their own stories as senior internationals and I’m excited to see how they rise to the challenge.
“There are also a number of players in the squad who have played in World Cups and European Championships, and will share that experience with the younger players as we work towards that shared goal of 2030.
“Two games against Ireland is exactly the sort of challenge we need at this early stage and we can’t wait to start this new era in front of our own supporters at The Gnoll.”
The squad in full is: Denive Barmforth* (Hull FC), Sam Bowring (Midlands Hurricanes), Mike Butt (Widnes Vikings), Max Clarke (Workington Town), Connor Davies (Halifax), Curtis Davies (London Broncos), Sam Dickenson* (Wigan Warriors), Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Charlie Glover* (Salford Red Devils), Sam Grice (Caslteford Tigers), Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes Vikings), Lloyd McEwan-Peters* (Hunslet), Owen Restall (Halifax Panthers), Ashton Robinson (Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs), Matt Ross (London Broncos), Luke Thomas (Warrington Wovles), Billy Walkley (Sheffield Eagles), Huw Worthington (London Broncos), Fin Yates (Salford Red Devils).
Tickets are on sale at wrl.wales/tickets
