Wales Wheelchair side head coach Alan Caron has named a squad of 10 to face UK Armed Forces on Saturday at Allam Centre in Hull (Kick-off 2pm).
The squad was solely selected from those who attended the recent training session and there’s just one change from the side who competed in this season’s Celtic Cup.
Matthew Turner, the second highest try and points scorer in the WRL Wheelchair Invitational League this year, earns his place in this non-capped game.
Jodie Boyd-Ward will be captain and Stuart Williams vice-captain, and all ten players will get a run out at some point in the match.
Caron said: “We’ve had a bit of a break because of domestic competition playing, but to be quite honest the guys have come in and they’ve reset ready for this World Cup yet. And this is the start of the big journey.
‘It’s also a great opportunity for the Armed Forces because they are also looking to get to Australian next year, so if we can support them in any way we can, that’s absolutely brilliant.
“They’ll be tough opposition. They’ll have some Super League and some Championship players who qualify because of their forces background. So, I think it’s going to be a great challenge for both of us.
“Hopefully we’ll have a second game against them before we play in the Celtic Cup in May.
“For those not playing on Saturday, the door is not closed. Every time we play, the door opens again. So for the people that don’t make it, they get put back into the pot and they can prove themselves again.”
UK Armed Forces have named a strong side that includes current Ireland international Toby Burton-Carter, former Wales international Martin Lane, England World Cup winner James Simpson-Hill and Tristan Norfolk, who made his England debut last year.
For those unable to make the match on Saturday, it will be streamed live online.
Wales squad: Lee Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons/Hereford Harriers), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Matthew Turner, Jakub Wasieczko (all North Wales Crusaders), Stuart Williams (North Wales Crusaders/Edinburgh Giants), Brogan Evans (North Wales Crusaders/Wigan Warriors), Scotty Turner, Mark Williams (both South Wales Jets/Wigan Warriors)
UK Armed Forces:
1 Toby-Burton-Carter (Wigan Warriors)
2 James Simpson-Hill (Leeds Rhinos, vc)
3 Paul Horrobin (Batley Bulldogs)
4 Martin Lane (Sheffield Eagles)
5 Ash Lockwood (Castleford Tigers)
6 Tristan Norfolk (Leeds Rhinos)
7 Tom Oates (Batley Bulldogs)
8 Steve Sampher (Hull FC, capt)
9 Liam Stancliffe (Hull FC)
10 Justin Wells (Hull FC)
