Wales Dragonhearts add match to their autumn schedule


Wales Dragonhearts have added one extra fixture to their 25th anniversary season, which now also has one amendment.

The Dragonhearts, who are the representative side of the Welsh Rugby League community game, will conclude a now four-match autumn series by taking on Malta Knights at the Morganstone Brewery Field in Bridgend on Saturday 23rd November (kick-off 2.30pm).

They now kick-off their series at The Gnoll in Neath on Saturday 26th October against the South of England Lionhearts (kick-off 3pm), the second half of a double header which also features Wales Women v Great Britain Teachers.

Wales v Lithuania follows at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 10th November (kick-off 2.30pm) before travelling to Leigh Miners Rangers to take on England Lions in the official 25th anniversary game on Saturday 16th November (kick-off 12.30pm).

Malta Knights are, like the Dragonhearts, the representative side of their domestic rugby league system. It will be the first time that they will visit Wales for rugby league.

Dragonhearts head coach Ian Newbury said: “We have been working hard behind the scenes to add another game to the schedule and it’s great that we can now confirm it.

“Malta will be a new challenge for us, and a game that shows our commitment to develop ties with new nations and push the game forward. I’m looking forward to welcoming them to Wales for the first time.”

The final trial for a place in the Wales Dragonhearts squad is this Sunday at The Gnoll in Neath when West Wales take on North Wales Origin (kick-off 3pm). Please click here to download the programme for this game.

Speaking about the match, Newbury said: ““There has been some really strong performers from the first two Origin games.

“It’s always hard with minimal contact time to get the combinations working, so I’ve tried to get around during the regular season as much as possible to get a better feel for all the players.

“The one thing I know for certain is come Sunday evening there will be some very tough decisions to be made.”