Wales Masters name squad for Summer Smash

Wales Masters have named a 19-player squad for when they face Ireland as part of Summer Smash at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 14th June.

Summer Smash is a day-long event in the nations’ capital which includes four matches in the JES Group Rugby League Conference and a host of U8 and U9 matches.

Wales v Ireland in Masters Rugby League takes place at 5pm, the match being open to anyone aged 35 years and over, and the Welsh have named seven debutants for the encounter with two from Cardiff Blue Dragons in Dave Provis and David Lambeth.

Also in line for the first appearance in a Welsh shirt is Benjy Leach and Jason York, both of Solent Spitfires, plus Gareth Roberts of North Wales Buccaneers, Mervyn Richards of Swindon St George and Robert Martin of the UK Armed Forces Masters.

Summer Smash opens with capital side Cardiff Blue Dragons taking on new boys West Wales Jets. Then at 1pm, it’s Cynon Valley Cavaliers v Bridgend Blue Bulls. At 3pm, there’s a repeat of last year’s Grand Final as the prime time game sees Aberavon Fighting Irish against South Wales Jets. The Masters encounter is at 5pm before Rhondda Outlaws v South Wales Saints concludes the day at 6.30pm. The U8 and U9 matches will be mini-games at half-time in the aforementioned encounters.

Tickets for the day are available at wrl.wales/tickets.

Wales Squad: Idris Evans, Craig Field, Jamie Iles, David Lambeth, Andrew Palfrey, Dave Provis, Chris Stiles, Chris Thomas, Martyn Williams (all Cardiff Blue Dragons), Andy Rees (Chester Gladiators), Michael Hughes (Crosfields), Mark Camm, Rob Gray-Williams, Seth Pierce, Gareth Roberts (North Wales Buccaneers), Benjy Leach, Jason York (both Solent Spitfires), Mervyn Richards (Swindon St George), Robert Martin (UKAF Masters).