WALES rugby league coach Martin Hall has included 11 players from Celtic Crusaders in his initial 29-strong squad for the internationals against Papua New Guinea and Scotland.
There are 11 potential new caps, including Aaron Summers, Ian Webster and Luke Dyer, the Crusaders’ recent signings from Hull KR.
The inclusion of captain Lee Briers is dependent on him recovering from the ankle injury he sustained playing for Warrington at St Helens last month.
Hall is confident of the availability of Bradford’s experienced stand-off Iestyn Harris, who missed last year’s World Cup match against Scotland through injury, but he has failed to persuade St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham to come out of international retirement.
“Iestyn wants to finish his international career playing in a World Cup,” said Hall.
“He committed himself last year, there was never a question about that, but he got injured.”
Wales face PNG Kumuls on Oct 28 at the Crusaders’ Brewery Field in Bridgend. - Reuters