Wales men’s side head coach Paul Berry has made just one change in his 19-man squad to face Ireland in the return fixture at Featherstone Rovers this Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
Hull FC’s Charlie Thomas is brought in, replacing Rhodri Lloyd, who wanted to retire from the game on Welsh soil, and did so in style last Saturday, scoring a try and goal in Wales’ 24-0 win over Ireland.
Thomas, 17, is a product of the Swansea Rams junior system. If he plays on Saturday, he will not just be the first Swansea Rams product to represent the Wales senior men’s side, he will also be Wales’ second youngest men’s side international ever, after Rhodri Lloyd.
He has come through the WRL junior international pathway, playing all three matches in Wales U16’s Four Nations title win in 2024, then all three matches for Wales U18 this year. Last Saturday, he played in Wales A’s 68-14 win over a Simon Weston XIII at The Gnoll in Neath.
Curtis Davies, who missed last week’s match through injury, is back in contention for the match at Featherstone Rovers. Newcastle Thunder’s George Birch is hoping to earn a first Wales men’s side cap after being named as 18th man last week.
Berry said: “We were obviously pleased with last weekend. It was great to have six debutants and to help give Rhodri Lloyd a fitting end to his career.
“But as we’ve said all along, this is part of a long-term plan and while it’s certainly a good start, it is just a start. Saturday is another step on the road to where we want to get to.
“Ireland will no doubt be expecting to be much improved from last week. We need to be prepared to meet that challenge as we grow and learn together.”
Wales Squad: Sam Grice (Castleford Tigers), Connor Davies, Owen Restall (both Halifax Panthers), Charlie Newton (Huddersfield Giants), Lloyd McEwan-Peters (Hunslet), Denive Balmforth, Charlie Thomas* (both Hull FC), Curtis Davies, Huw Worthington, Matt Ross (all London Broncos), Sam Bowring (Midlands Hurricanes), Ashton Robinson (Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs), George Birch* (Newcastle Thunder), Charlie Glover, Fin Yates (Salford Red Devils), Billy Walkley (Sheffield Eagles), Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Sam Dickenson (Wigan Warriors), Max Clarke (Workington Town)
