Wales have named a 14-player squad to prepare for the Celtic Cup on May 24th when they’ll take on Scotland and Ireland in Cardiff in the action-packed full-day event.
This squad will then be reduced to 10 players ahead of matchday.
Brogan Evans of Salford Red Devils, one of three potential debutants, could be the first person to ever represent Wales Wheelchair as well as a Wales running side following her selection in the squad.
Already capped by the Wales Women’s side in 2023, injury has forced Evans to, hopefully temporarily, give up the running game, so she’s switched to Wheelchair.
The other two newcomers are Jonathan Gill and Jakub Wasieczko, both of whom have played a starring role for North Wales Crusaders in both the WRL Wheelchair Development League and the RFL Championship.
Five players return after missing last year’s Celtic Cup, with last year’s Super League winning captain, Jodie Boyd-Ward of Leeds Rhinos, heading the list after co-captaining Wales on tour to USA over a year ago.
North Wales Crusaders duo Lucie Roberts and Stuart Williams, the latter captaining Wales in the 2022 World Cup, are also both back in the squad for the first time since 2023, whilst Torfaen Tigers’ father and son stars, Jason and Jamie Reynolds, return for the first time since 2021.
The remaining squad members, Jess Booth, Richard Carver, Alex Powell, Lee Sargent, Scott Trigg-Turner and Mark Williams, all played for Wales in last year’s Celtic Cup.
Wales head coach Alan Caron said: “We’re looking ahead to Wales going to the World Cup in 2026. We’ve a very talented group of players available for Wales and it’s not just about this year, it’s about what can do going into the next Celtic Cup and into the World Cup.
“It’s great to have Stuart back. He brings a dynamic of his own. He’s always been in the background supporting us even when he wasn’t available at all last year.
“Plus Jodie is another influence. She’s still playing at the highest level with Leeds Rhinos and having her back in the squad gives us another dynamic, another niche.
“We’ve had a few players that have pulled out of the squad for personal reasons so that’s given us the opportunity for players to come in and to be seen. I’m a big believer that when opportunity comes you need to take it.
“Brogan is new to the sport but obviously played rugby league in a running format. I think she’s been fantastic, dynamic, very bubbly and she’s fitted so well into the group.
“Jonathan has been on the radar as a Crusaders player and could have been selected last season wasn’t available, plus Jakub, who turned 16 just last year, has been absolutely one to watch for a while and it’ll be lovely to get him into the squad and see what he can produce.”
CELTIC CUP FIXTURES – Saturday 24th May, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed
1100: Wales v Scotland
1300: Scotland v Ireland
1500: Wales v Ireland
Tickets are now on sale for this big event, priced just £6 for adults and free for children aged U16.
Buy tickets here
Wales Squad: Lee Sargent (Cardiff Blue Dragons), Richard Carver (Hereford Harriers), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Lucie Roberts, Jakub Wasieczko, Stuart Williams (all North Wales Crusaders), Brogan Evans (Salford Red Devils), Alex Powell, Jamie Reynolds, Jason Reynolds (all Torfaen Tigers), Scott Trigg-Turner, Mark Williams (both Wigan Warriors/Torfaen Tigers).
