Three sets of brothers in Wales squad for World Cup

Wales head coach John Kear has selected three sets of brothers in his 24-man squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Bridgend-born Ben and Rhys Evans became the first twins to represent Wales in a Rugby League World Cup in 2013, but it will be a first World Cup for Connor and Curtis Davies.

James Olds and Ollie Olds play their club rugby league in Australia for Valley Diehards.

Bradford utility Elliot Kear will captain Wales at the World Cup.

Kear has selected two Super League players in his side – Rhys Williams (Salford) and Kyle Evans (Wakefield). Williams is Wales’ most capped men’s senior international and record try scorer, having scored 22 tries in 31 appearances.

There are two uncapped players in the squad. Leigh full-back Caleb Aekins was born and raised in New Zealand but is of Welsh heritage through his mother, who hails from Barry Island. Wakefield flier Evans is the other uncapped player, having only made his professional rugby league debut this season having crossed codes from rugby union at the age of 31.

In Kear’s squad, 12 of his 24-man squad were born in Wales.

Wales are based in Preston during the tournament. Kear’s side have a warm-up fixture against Lebanon at Swinton’s Heywood Road on Saturday, October 8.

KEAR: One win for Wales at World Cup would be a huge success

Wales squad for World Cup:

Caleb Aekins (Leigh Centurions)

Bailey Antrobus (York City Knights)

Gavin Bennion (Rochdale Hornets)

Joe Burke (West Wales Raiders)

Chester Butler (Bradford Bulls)

Mike Butt (Swinton Lions)

Connor Davies (Workington Town)

Curtis Davies (Whitehaven)

Rhys Evans (Bradford Bulls)

Will Evans (Whitehaven)

Kyle Evans (Wakefield Trinity)

Ben Evans (Bradford Bulls)

Dan Fleming (Featherstone Rovers)

Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings)

Dalton Grant (London Broncos)

Tom Hopkins (Barrow Raiders)

Elliot Kear (Bradford Bulls)

Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions)

James Olds (Valley Diehards)

Ollie Olds (Valley Diehards)

Josh Ralph (Mounties)

Luis Roberts (Leigh Centurions)

Anthony Walker (Bradford Bulls)

Rhys Williams (Salford Red Devils)

Wales are in a group alongside Tonga, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands. They get their World Cup campaign underway against the Cook Islands in Leigh on Wednesday, October 19.

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