Wales have announced their squad for the opening match of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup against defending champions England in Wollongong, Australia, on Friday, 30 October. The match marks the tournament debut of 16-year-old Fionn McCabe, who becomes Wales' third-youngest debutant. McCabe, a North Wales Crusader who turned 16 on 18 October, is one of two new faces in the starting line-up alongside York RLFC's John Berriman.
Head coach Alan Caron has blended youth with experience, with the debutants lining up alongside captain Jodie Boyd-Ward, vice-captain Stuart Williams and former skipper Mark Williams — a trio that combine for almost 100 Wales caps. "England are world champions, so we know they'll be tough, but we have five games and three weeks, and we know that we're trying to plan not just for this game, but the second, third, fourth and fifth," Caron said. "The England team has changed since the last World Cup, as has ours. But the youngsters that are coming through have been selected because they've got really good qualities, not just for now, but for the future of the game in Wales."
Wales also face Ireland on Tuesday, 3 November and the USA three days later in Group A, while Group B comprises Australia, France, New Zealand and Scotland.
Wales squad: Sid Ramsey, Fionn McCabe, Jodie Boyd-Ward (c), Jonathan Gill, Stuart Williams, Matthew Turner, Mark Williams, John Berriman. Reserves: Lee Sargent, Andrew Higgins.
