Owen Restall is looking forward to finally running out onto the pitch to represent Wales in a full international on Saturday, when they take on Ireland at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 3pm).
The 30-year-old has only been a rugby league professional for four years. He has pulled on a Welsh shirt once, in 2023, in a friendly against Cumbria, but Saturday will be the real deal.
“It’s a really big moment for me,” Restall said. “I’m excited to represent my family’s heritage at last.
“In 2022, I travelled to France with Wales but didn’t make the 17 or the World Cup side. The following year I played, but it was uncapped at Cumbria. And then last year, unfortunately, I had an ankle surgery at the very end of the season, which ruled me out as well. I think I might have had a chance to play in there.
“So yes, it’s been a long time coming.
“And a lot of people probably won’t realise how hard I’ve worked for it, coming from amateur, not so long ago. This means the world to me.”
Restall turned professional in 2022 with Oldham after playing in the Challenge Cup with Underbank Rangers in 2020. He spent two seasons at Dewsbury Rams in 2023-24, before playing for Halifax Panthers this year.
“I played junior rugby league, then stopped playing at the age of 17,” Restall admits. “Other things in life took over. I was in university and I started working on a weekend, so I didn’t play.
“And then I just bumped into a friend, an old friend, who asked me to come a play for his amateur team, which I did, and really enjoyed it that one year, and then they moved clubs to try and play at a higher amateur level, and then before I knew it, so I was becoming quite successful there.
“So now I’ve come back into it, I’ve enjoyed every moment and every club I’ve played for. Being part of the Wales camps has been probably a highlight for me and something I’ll look back on in years to come.”
With Wales now targeting the 2030 World Cup, Restall’s aim is to be with the Wales side to help them to that tournament, after missing out on the truncated 2026 edition in Australia.
“What a dream that would be,” he says. “I’ve no intentions of retiring anytime soon. Probably, after having those years out in my early 20s, my body feels better than most 30-year-olds, to be honest. I feel very healthy, very fit.”
It will be an extra special weekend for Restall as his grandmother, who lives in Swansea, celebrates her 90th birthday this weekend.
“I was intending on being in this part of Wales at this time anyway,” Restall admits. “So a lot of my family will be down here for her party the next day, and I know some will be at The Gnoll to cheer us on against Ireland. It’ll be an extra special weekend if we win.”
You can also enjoy hospitality with some of the stars of the 1995 Welsh squad, as we look back at that famous World Cup 30 years on, with Dai Bishop in-house to sign copies of his new autobiography.
Go to wrl.wales/tickets to buy today. There are family deals available, with hospitality and entrance for both matches priced at only £45.
