Wales choose Kear as captain for European Championship

London Broncos threequarter Elliot Kear will captain Wales in the European Championship.

The 29-year-old former Bradford player takes over from Craig Kopczak, who has retired from the international game, and will follow in the footsteps of his former Whitchurch High School class-mates Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale in captaining his country.

Kear, a vice-captain at the 2017 World Cup, has scored 11 tries in 24 appearances for Wales, making him jointly the fifth most capped player of all time.

"It'll be a huge honour to captain my country," Kear said. "For any Welshman playing sport, it's a dream come true.

"I'm going to embrace the added responsibility. I'm at an age now where I'm no longer one of the young lads and I hope I can help those coming through.

"There'll be a good mix in the squad of both youth and experience and I want to lead the boys as best as I can out on the field."

Wales will have a chance to secure their place at the 2021 World Cup when they defend their European crown, starting with a game against France in Carcassone on October 27.