Wales men’s side head coach John Kear has named his 21-strong squad for the forthcoming RLWC2026 European qualifiers.
The winner of the tournament will proceed to 2025’s inaugural World Series and represent the continent, where they will meet fellow International Rugby League full members Cook Islands, Jamaica and South Africa to battle for the remaining two berths at the World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The semi-finals, determined by the IRL’s world rankings, sees Serbia take on Wales and France facing Ukraine, which take place as a double header on Tuesday 22 October at the Stade Albert-Domec in Carcassonne (kick offs 17.00 and 19.30 respectively, local time).
The action then heads south to Saint-Esteve, where the Municipality Stadium will host the Final on Saturday 26 October (at 14.30) before a third place-play-off for world ranking points (17.00).
Wales warmed up with a 22-16 win back on home soil at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath, over Jamaica on Tuesday night.
“The game was a good start to our preparations, and a number of players have now had their first taste of international rugby league and will be better for it,” commented men’s head coach John Kear. “We’re ready to embrace the challenge of continuing our World Cup journey.”
“It will be tough for us. Whoever wins the European leg then has to go and play in the World Series next year. So it’s like having to double qualify to get a Northern Hemisphere team in.
“We’re meeting on Sunday, so we’ll have a couple of training sessions before we fly out on the on the Monday.
“Yes, we are expected to win against Serbia and you’ve got to deal with that weight of expectation to do that, and then should we win, we’ll be the underdogs then, which we always love.
“It will be a tough ask, subject to winning against Serbia of course, as we will face the winner of France and Ukraine. It’s likely to be the French, of course, going on current IRL standings.”
There are five additions to the Wales squad compared to the side that beat Jamaica. Gil Dudson and Luis Roberts are unable to travel due to personal commitments, but Dewsbury’s Curtis Davies will be looking to return from injury. Josh Ralph of St George Illawarra Dragons will also be flying over from Australia to join the squad.
Kear commented: “One big addition is Josh Ralph will be coming out from Australia to play in the halves and that makes us a better team because it releases Matty Fozard to go to his more natural position at hooker.”
There are four uncapped players in the squad. In addition to Joe Coope-Franklin, who was 18th player on Tuesday, three have been brought in – Wales U19 international Sam Grice of Castleford Tigers, Cornwall’s Matt Ross, whose brother Jordan is a former Wales international, and having helped Hunslet to promotion last weekend, Jude Ferreira, who has been involved in the Wales squad in the past but still to make a full appearance.
Tickets for both events can be purchased from: www.ffr13.fr/billetterie/
WALES SQUAD: Max Clarke (Barrow Raiders), Elliot Kear (Batley Bulldogs), Sam Grice (Castleford Tigers) Matt Ross (Cornwall), Curtis Davies (Dewsbury Rams), Connor Davies (Halifax Panthers), Jude Ferreria (Hunslet Hawks), Billy Walkley (Keighley Cougars), Ashton Robinson (Leeds Rhinos), Sam Bowring (Midlands Hurricanes), Ben Evans (North Wales Crusaders), Joe Coope-Franklin, Finley Yates (Salford Red Devils), Josh Ralph (St George Illawarra Dragons), Ant Walker, Rhys Williams (Swinton Lions), Will Evans, Huw Worthington (Whitehaven), Mike Butt, Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Bailey Antrobus (York Knights)