Wales name seven uncapped players for Jamaica game
John Kear succeeded Iestyn Harris as Wales head coach in July
- Published
Wales head coach John Kear has named seven uncapped players in his 18-strong squad to face Jamaica in Neath on Tuesday.
Three of those set to make debuts at the Lextan Gnoll have emerged from Wales Rugby League's national development academy - Joe Coope-Franklin, Billy Walkley and Fin Yates.
Sam Bowring, Max Clarke, Huw Worthington and Leeds Rhinos reserves captain Ashton Robinson are also in line to earn their first caps.
The match on 15 October (kick-off 19:30 BST) is a warm-up for the forthcoming European World Cup qualifiers in France.
Wales must beat Serbia on Tuesday, 22 October in Carcassonne to maintain hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
If they do so, Wales must then face France or Ukraine for a place at the 2025 World Series, in which the final 2026 World Cup spots will be on the line.
Kear's squad has been trimmed from the 26 hopefuls named in September.
Wales squad: Bailey Antrobus (York Knights), Sam Bowring (Midlands Hurricanes), Mike Butt (Widnes Vikings), Max Clarke (Barrow Raiders), Joe Coope-Franklin (Salford Red Devils), Connor Davies (Halifax Panthers), Gil Dudson (Warrington Wolves), Ben Evans (North Wales Crusaders), Will Evans (Whitehaven), Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Elliot Kear (capt, Batley Bulldogs), Luis Roberts, Ashton Robinson (Leeds Rhinos), Anthony Walker (Swinton Lions), Billy Walkley (Keighley Cougars), Rhys Williams (Swinton Lions), Huw Worthington (Whitehaven), Finley Yates (Salford Red Devils).