Rhondda Outlaws kick off Wales’ involvement in this year’s Betfred Challenge Cup when they travel to take on Hull Dockers tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).

The Welsh side travelled up to Humberside today with a squad of 20 to be fresh and ready for the tough challenge ahead. Outlaws are the 2022 South Wales champions, but the Dockers play in the North of England’s National Conference League Premier Division and this is one of the toughest ties the Outlaws could have faced.

Rhondda have their experienced players in club founder Cobi Green, who played for Wales in the 2018 9s World Cup and was in John Kear’s train-on squad last year, and former Wales international Steven Parry who won 15 caps for Wales, including three in the 2017 World Cup. Their squad of 20 includes 11 from last year’s Grand Final winning side.

Club chairman James Allen, who played in the Challenge Cup himself in the past, said: “We are looking forward to the game tomorrow. We know we will have to be at our best to compete with them but we have prepared and feel we are in a better position as a team than we were last time out in the Challenge Cup. We’re really looking forward to the challenge and the hospitality of the rugby league family.”

OUTLAWS SIDE
1. Rhodri Garland
2. John Hawkins
3. Thomas Hale
4. Lee Griffiths
5. Cody Rees
6. Cobi Green
7. Chris Harris
8. Jack Griffiths
9. Steven Parry
10. Shaun Watton
11. Ieuan Griffiths
12. Myran Turare
13. James Winter
14. David Albertelli
15. Jarad Jones
16. TJ Reese
17. Nicolas Stephanou
18. Corey Philip
19. Kevin James
20. Mike Herbert