Wales Students to take on Cardiff City at Arms Park
Wales Students are set to begin their preparations for the forthcoming Four Nations championship with a friendly against Cardiff City RL this Wednesday.
The student Four Nations takes place in Dublin from June 14 to 19, and Wales will play games against England, Scotland and Ireland.
Cardiff City RLFC are themselves preparing for their own domestic Welsh season, which opens on May 10 with their clash with Aber Valley Wolves.
Wales Students coach Latham Tawhai is happy with the way things are going for his squad currently.
“Preparations for the upcoming tournament are progressing steadily,” he said.
“The standard looks to be higher across the board which makes our lives more difficult in trying to narrow the group down to 20 players.
“It was great to see a number of last year’s Student team (including our assistant coach Phil Carleton) get call ups to John Kear’s senior side and some of them will once again play key roles in this year’s Student side.
“The players set some very high standards in 2014 and with a good number of those available again this year they’ll be integral to not only maintaining those standards but also raising them as we look to go one better.
“Wednesday’a game against Cardiff City RL will give players a decent opportunity to showcase their talent and stake a claim for one of the 20 spots. I’d like to thank Cardiff RL and all involved for making this game possible.”
Cardiff City RLFC founder Chris True is relishing the chance to take on his nation’s best student players.
“We are pleased to welcome Wales Students to Cardiff Arms Park ahead of their 2015 Four Nations challenge,” he said.
“Cardiff City RLFC have agreed to support and sponsor Wales Students for this tournament.
“Student Rugby League is a great step into the game as proven through former Cardiff Demon and Wales Student captain Izaac Duffy.
“Izaac progressed in a year from Student rugby league to play semi-professionally for Gloucestershire All Golds, and won his full Welsh cap in 2014.
“The lads are aware of the challenge Wales Students will give us in this match. We have only been together for three games and improve each time.
“There are talented players at Cardiff but our real strength is in our ethos and spirit, no one player is bigger than the team.
“With only two games to go before our league season kicks off, we are looking forward learning from every experience and take it in to the season. Spectators should expect a fast, physical and adventurous game with lots of tries.”
WALES STUDENTS (from): Morgan Evans (University of Bath), Lewys Weaver (Blackpool and The Fylde College), Alex King, Marcus Webb (Bridgend College), Joe Symons (Brynteg Comprehensive School), Jordan Sheridan (Cardiff University), Jordan Howells (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Dafydd Lloyd (Coleg y Cymoedd), James Gahan, James Mason, Nathan Rainer, Josh Williams (all University of Gloucestershire), Rhys Davies (Coleg Gwent), Harry Boots, Jordan Thomas (both Maesteg Comprehensive School), Tom Davies (Newcastle University), Kurt Greatorex, Osian Phillips, Yousif Sulliman (all University of South Wales), Andrew Palmer, Jacob Wright, Alec Wheatley (all Swansea University), Efan Ellis, Owen Thomas (University of Wales Trinity St David), Connor Davies, Curtis Davies (both Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera)
CARDIFF CITY RL (from): 1. Jacob Brennan 2. Jordan Rahman 3. Wayne DeCruz 4. Chris True 5. Duane IIles 6. Tom Mace 7. Olly Hughes (VC) 8. Nathan Davies 9. Kyle Rose 10. Artur Kozels 11. Liam Muale 12. Owain Davies (C) 13. Andrew Prouse 14. Joe Davies 15. Eddie Saia 16. Callam McCabe 17. Daniel Hiscocks 18. David Lewis 19. Daniel Crimmins 20. Matt Williams 21. Ben Tomas 22. James Mann 23. Steve May 24. Charlie Tribble 25. Jamie Iiles 26. Tom Morgan 27. Paul Wallis 28. Richard East 29. Malkit Singh
Tickets for Wednesday’s match cost just £4 in advance and £5 on the gate. They can be bought by going to http://www.cardiffrugbyleague.com/.