Wales Wheelchair Rugby League confirm squad for USA tour

  • Head coach Alan Caron said his squad are looking forward to February's two test series in the USA

Wales Wheelchair Rugby League Head Coach Alan Caron has announced his squad to play full international matches against USA.

The tests will be the first world-ranking matches that the Wales team have ever played outside Britain and France, and the first internationals to take place in the Americas.

The 10-player squad will travel to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina to play international matches against USA on 2-3 February 2024.

The squad contains eight of the 12 players who were in the World Cup squad in 2022 - including 2023 Super League Grand Finalists Jodie Boyd-Ward of Leeds Rhinos and Martin Lane of Wigan Warriors, both of whom scored tries in the match that Wigan won 50-42.

Wales' Wheelchair Rugby League team said they're looking forward to February's two match series in the USA. Credit: Ian Lovell

There are three others in the side who played Super League this season: Scott Trigg-Turner who turned out for London Roosters, whilst Mason Baker and Stephen Halsey both played matches for Warrington Wolves.

All three were dual registered from North Wales Crusaders, with Halsey’s contribution included in his mammoth 82 tries and 221 goals in all competitions this season.

The other three from last year’s World Cup are Harry Jones of North Wales Crusaders, who is the world record Wheelchair RL cap holder, plus Gary Preece of Hereford Harriers, who was the top points scorer in this year’s WRL Wheelchair Invitational League, and his club-mate Andrew Higgins, who is Wales’ record international goals and points scorer.

Torfaen Tigers’ Alex Powell, who made his international debut against Ireland earlier this year, is also included, as is Hereford’s Phillip Davies, who won five caps for Wales in 2019.

Wales head coach Alan Caron said: “This really is going to be a special tour for Wales Rugby League. To be playing in the first Wheelchair international matches outside of Europe and Australia is going to be very historic.

Wales Wheelchair Rugby League are a community-run side. Credit: Wales Rugby League

"I feel I’ve picked a strong squad who will be able to give the USA a side a good game, and we know how good they are from their performances in the World Cup where they gave us a good game and beat a more experienced Scotland side."

He added: “But the tour isn’t just about winning matches, we’ll be doing coaching sessions for players, coaches and match officials and we’ll be attending domestic matches over in South Carolina. We stayed in the same hotel as the USA side in the 2022 World Cup, so this tour is a continuation of a friendship between the two sides and long may it continue.”

Wales Wheelchair Rugby League, who are a community-run side, are raising money for the air-fares to get to the USA.

Wales Wheelchair Rugby League Squad: Phillip Davies, Andrew Higgins, Gary Preece (all Hereford Harriers), Martin Lane (Hereford Harriers/Wigan Warriors), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Harry Jones (North Wales Crusaders), Scott Trigg-Turner (North Wales Crusaders/London Roosters), Mason Baker, Stephen Halsey (both North Wales Crusaders/Warrington Wolves), Alex Powell (Torfaen Tigers).

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...