Wales RL are heading north for triple-header
WALES Rugby League will be playing three international matches at two test levels in North Wales next month with Scotland and Ireland both set to visit.
The first matches will be played on the weekend of October 16/17 when Wales take on Ireland in both women’s and wheelchair internationals – the wheelchair game on Saturday, October 16, at a venue TBC and the women’s match on Sunday, October 17 at Stadiwm Zipworld in Colwyn Bay (kick-offs TBC).
Then on Saturday, October 30, Scotland will be visitors to Glyndwr University in Wrexham in a wheelchair international (kick-off 12.45pm) with this encounter being sponsored by Welsh international Harry Jones through his book, “ABC’s of Rugby League”. The book features over 80 Rugby League clubs from around the world, including number of Wales Rugby League community clubs and is available to purchase on Amazon now.
The women’s encounter between Wales and Ireland will not only be the first ever meeting between women’s sides from these two nations, but it’ll be the first ever women’s international for Ireland.
Wales Wheelchair will however be taking on familiar foes, having met and beaten both Ireland and Scotland earlier this year, when Wales lifted the Celtic Cup for the fifth successive time.
It’ll be Wales’ 11th meeting with both Ireland and Scotland next month, having won seven of the previous 10 encounters against the Irish and eight against the Scots. Wales and Scotland will meet again at next year’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Sheffield.
It was hoped that the international weekend would have been a triple header in Colwyn Bay, but the Wales men’s side were unable to secure opponents that weekend.
Wales Rugby League CEO Gareth Kear said: “We worked very hard to get a triple header on for men, women and wheelchair but sadly that wasn’t able to happen.
“We’ll now focus on a mid-season international next year to build up for the men’s World Cup.
“We’re delighted that our wheelchair side will be continuing their preparations for next year’s World Cup after performing so well earlier this year in their previous three games, which included winning the Celtic Cup for the fifth successive time.
“We’re also thrilled that our women’s side will be facing Ireland for the first time in only their second full test match, and the first at home.
“It’s a natural continuation of the growth of the women’s game in Wales after our first test against England earlier this year, then 50 per cent of that international side helping Cardiff Demons to win the inaugural Women’s Super League South Grand Final
last month.”