Wales seek England redemption
Wales will field a combination of youth and experience and they take on England in the Gillette Fusion International this Saturday at the Brewery Field in Bridgend (kick-off 6.15pm).
And with advance ticket sales now topping the figure that led to Celtic Crusaders’ record crowd, the organisers are hoping for a bumper attendance that will rival the gates seen for the visits of St Helens, Wigan, Hull and Leeds Rhinos to Wales this year.
The packed Brewery Field crowd could see up to 11 Crusaders take to the field against a strong England side as well as former Crusader Ian Webster making a return from Australia for the international series.
Last year’s skipper David Mills is injured so Crusaders’ Ben Flower, who has been putting in outstanding performances for his club over the last two years, has been appointed Wales captain.
Flower has skippered many sides in the past, from school right up to Newport Gwent Dragons age-group levels but this is his first international appointment.
Real Sport's Mark Poyser chats to Coach Iestyn Harris ahead of the game
“It’s going to exciting being only a youngster myself,” Flower said. “For Iestyn to ask me to captain Wales was a dream come true. I’m looking forward to the game. I’ll try not to let Iestyn and the team down and I’m determined to do my best job on Saturday evening.”
Wales could field up to seven debutants on Saturday in Featherstone Rovers’ Ross Divorty, Bridgend Blue Bulls’ Christiaan Roets and Crusaders’ quintet, Ashley Bateman, Elliot Kear, Lewis Mills, Lloyd White and Neil Budworth.
England have released their actual playing line-up which includes former Wales international Garreth Carvell.
The Warrington forward was capped three times for Wales in 2000, against South Africa, Cook Island and Lebanon. He has since represented Great Britain but this Saturday will be his first appearance in an England shirt.
He is allowed to play for England as he has not represented Wales in over two years and under international rules this enables him to switch nations if he so wishes.
Wales (from): Matt Barron (Gateshead Thunder), Ashley Bateman (Celtic Crusaders), Anthony Blackwood (Celtic Crusaders), Neil Budworth (Celtic Crusaders), Geraint Davies (Celtic Crusaders), Ross Divorty (Featherstone Rovers), Gil Dudson (Celtic Crusaders), Ben Flower (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Griffiths (Warrington Wolves), Jordan James (Celtic Crusaders), Elliot Kear (Celtic Crusaders), Craig Kopzcak (Bradford Bulls), Lewis Mills (Celtic Crusaders), Christiaan Roets (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Ian Watson (Leigh Centurions), Ian Webster (Central Comets), Lloyd White (Celtic Crusaders), Lee Williams (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves).
England: Paul Sykes (Bradford Bulls); Peter Fox (Hull Kingston Rovers), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers), Tom Briscoe (Hull FC); Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors), Richie Myler (Salford City Reds); Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, capt), Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants), Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves), Gareth Ellis (West Tigers), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls).
Subs: Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins), Mickey Higham (Warrington Wolves), Danny Tickle (Hull FC), Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves).
