Wales Rugby League have appointed Dave Abel as their second assistant coach for the Wheelchair international side, as we prepare for this year’s World Cup.
Abel will work alongside Gary Taylor as assistant coaches to head coach Alan Caron
The 35-year-old completes the set of Celtic sides, having previously been assistant coach with Ireland and Scotland, the latter a four-year spell that ended in November.
But that’s just part of nearly two decades worth of experience in the sport for Abel. He joined Wheelchair Rugby League as a match official in 2008 and also played for Bradford Bulls. Moving across the Pennines in 2018, he coached at Mancunians RLFC, St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils. He will continue to be the head coach at the Salford RLFC wheelchair side in the 2026 season.
Abel said: “I’m feeling really good about this new adventure. There is a lot of promise within this group of Welsh players, including many who are up and coming. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead with both the staff and players as we go into the Celtic Cup and the World Cup.”
Caron adds: “We’re delighted to welcome Dave into the Welsh fold. With the knowledge and experience he has, and the references he’s had from Salford and Scotland, we know he’s going to be a valuable asset to us.”
Wales will take part in the Celtic Cup in Scotland in the middle of this year, and then kick off their World Cup campaign on Friday 30th October against current champions England in Wollongong, just south of Sydney (kick-off 3.30pm).
