RUGBY LEAGUE

THE 17-YEAR-OLD Wales Touch international player Stefan Collins has been brought into Wales Rugby League’s Commonwealth Championships squad after Ben J ones withdrew late last week for personal reasons.

The Merthyr Tydfilborn tri-code player initially played rugby union for Nelson before switching to Touch with Ystrad Mynach Titans and charity side Velindre Untouchables and winning Wales under-18 caps.

He recently switched to rugby league with college side Coleg Y Cymoedd and scored two tries on his debut against USW. He will be the youngest player in the Wales Commonwealth Championships squad.

Wales coach Shane Eccles said: “Stefan only just missed out on the initial cut so we’re delighted to bring him into the squad after Ben was unfortunately not able to go.

“He impressed us all in recent trials and as an experienced Touch player, a game that is an offshoot of rugby league anyway, I’m sure he’ll do well.”

Wales are competing in the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championships in Moreton Bay, Queensland on February 23-24.

The under-23 Nines tournament is officially endorsed by the Commonwealth Games Federation and is classed as an exhibition sport with the aim for it to become a full medal sport in 2026.

Wales won bronze four years ago in Glasgow, and they will again take on Australia, the 2014 silver medallists, as well as Fiji and Scotland in Group A.