Four Welshmen have been selected for the Great Britain Students Rugby League side for their two matches against Australia next week.
Kris Wilkes from North Wales who studies at Llandrillo College and has signed for Rochdale Hornets and Marl Wool from Pontyclun who studies at Leeds Met and played for Leeds Rhinos’ reserves this year, will take on the mighty Australians in Leigh on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) and at The Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham on Wednesday (kick-off 7.30pm).
Harry Mostyn and Patrick Evans, both from Gloucestershire but have played for Wales Students, have also been included.
And it has been confirmed that the second test in Cheltenham will be screened live and free to air on Premier Sports on Sky Digital from 7.15pm.
Premier Sports TV executive Richard Webb said: “We are delighted to be able to enter into a partnership with Student Rugby League to bring this event to a wider audience for the first time.
“Our channel broadcasts 150 live Australian NRL games in the UK every season but this opportunity allows us to support and showcase grass roots Rugby League in Britain over the winter.
“Our channel is currently only available to Sky customers on channel 433 but you don’t need to subscribe to any Sky package to receive our channel.
“Those with a Sky dish, decoder and card will be able to view this match for free on the night.”
Matt Jeffery, Student Rugby League Manager said: “We are delighted that the game will be televised live and on free-view.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for fans of the sport to see some of the finest Student Rugby League players in the world in action and is a great boost for SRL.
“Student Rugby League is expanding rapidly and I hope that this increased profile will encourage even people from the world of academia to get involved in the sport.”
Great Britain will be heading into the series full of confidence after triumphing in their two warm up fixtures.
Head Coach Paul Fletcher said: “It’s going to be a very close series as Australian Universities boast some very talented players.
“But I feel our boys are better prepared than ever after two tough warm up games and our training camp at Liverpool University.
“Our forwards are working very well and we are forging some excellent combinations in attack, so the signs are very positive.”
Rochdale’s Town team provided the first competition for the Great Britain Students team, losing out 42-18, before Combined Services provided a thorough work out in an entertaining game at Cheltenham which the students won 38-12.
The Australian Universities team have prepared for the series by triumphing over a France select XIII in Paris on November 23 and beating a French Universities side 30-26 three days later on Friday November 26 at stade Mercier, Cobeil Essonnes, Paris.
They also defeated a Combined Services team in Portsmouth on Wednesday night.
Great Britain Students: Jack Sampson (Leeds Met Carnegie), Patrick Evans University of Gloucestershire), Kris Wilkes (Llandrillo College), John Paxton (Leeds Met Carnegie), Matt Garside (Northumbria University), Dan Kerr (Loughborough University), Harry Mostyn (Loughborough University), Jy’mel Coleman (Leeds Met Carnegie), Pat Smith (Sheffield Hallam University), Nigel Scott (Leeds Met Carnegie), Mark Wool (Loughborough University), Michael Sykes (Leeds Met Carnegie), Adam Scott (Leeds Met Carnegie), Laurence Pearce (Bishop Burton College), Liam Gilchrist (University of Central Lancashire), Andy Marsh (Manchester Met University), Kris Hodson (c) (Leeds Met Carnegie), Joe Walsh (Leeds Met Carnegie), John Horton (Leeds Met Carnegie), Lee Hudson (Edge Hill University). Coach: Paul Fletcher
Australian Universities: Jarrod Biggs (Queensland University of Technology), Cameron Breust (University of Canberra), Tommy Butterfield (University of the Sunshine Coast), Michael Comerford (Central Queensland University), Martin Cordwell (Queensland University of Technology), Drew Dalton (University of Western Sydney), Anthony Don (Newcastle University), Levi Freeman (Master Builders Association Training Centre Canberra), Michael Gavan (Newcastle University), Joshua Goulton (University of Wollongong), Adam Hansen (University of Technology Sydney), Hillal Kara-Ali (University of Western Sydney), Luke Kelley (Australian Business Academy Sydney), Simon Lakis (Australian College of Physical Education Sydney), Luke Muttdon (University of Wollongong), Paul Salamakis (McDonalds Training Department, Sydney), Mitch Seaton (Charles Sturt University Albury), Daniel Sleeman (Griffith University), Brenton Stonier (Central Queensland University), Gary Windass (Meadowbank College), Darcy Wright (Queensland University of Technology). Coach: Grant Stephensen
Great Britain Students v Australian Universities (1st Test) Sunday December 5 – Leigh East ARLFC – KO 2pm
Great Britain Students v Australian Universities (2nd Test) Wednesday December 8 – Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham – KO 7.30pm