Rugby League World Cup 2017: Lloyd White withdraws from Wales squad

Lloyd White has won 15 caps for Wales

Lloyd White has been forced to withdraw from Wales' Rugby League World Cup 2017 squad.

The 28-year-old hooker injured his hamstring last weekend playing for Widnes Vikings and has been ruled out.

Wales coach John Kear has already lost Ben Flower and Ollie Olds from the campaign because of injury.

Wigan forward Flower has been sidelined since April with an Achilles injury, while Souths Logan Magpies scrum-half Olds is recovering from an ACL problem.

Kear said: "Everybody wants the opportunity to play in a World Cup but, unfortunately for Lloyd, he has picked up a hamstring injury.

"He's picked up the injury kicking for goal, which is very unusual, so it's unfortunate for him that it's happened.

"It's a shame to lose Lloyd, but we still have quality in the hooker position.

"Steve Parry, for me, should be playing at a higher level, Matty Fozard has probably been Sheffield's stand-out player in the Championship this season and we also have Connor Farrer, who is a young, up-and-coming player."

Craig Kopczak has been confirmed as Wales captain and Phil Joseph and Elliot Kear as vice-captains for the World Cup.

Salford Red Devils prop Kopczak has been Wales' skipper for the past two years, with Workington Town forward Joseph as his deputy.

London Broncos wing Kear will lead the backline as additional vice-captain.

Wales start the tournament against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday, 28 October.

Further group games follow against Fiji on Sunday, 5 November, in Townsville and Ireland in Perth on Sunday, 12 November.

Wales training squad for RLWC2017: Larne Patrick (Castleford Tigers), Zak Williams (Coventry Bears), Courtney Davies, Steve Parry, Lewis Reece (all Gloucestershire All Golds), Danny Ansell (Hunslet), Sam Hopkins (Leigh Centurions), Michael Channing, Ben Evans, Dalton Grant, Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (all London Broncos), Josh Ralph (Tweed Head Seagulls), Matty Barron (Newcastle Thunder), Joe Burke (Oldham), Caleb Aekins, Daniel Brown (both Penrith Panthers), Ant Walker (Rochdale Hornets), Craig Kopczak (Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), Morgan Evans, Connor Farrer, Andrew Gay, Christiaan Roets (all South Wales Ironmen), Regan Grace, Elliot Jenkins, Morgan Knowles, Ben Morris, Calvin Wellington (all St Helens), Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), Jake Emmitt, Dan Fleming (both Toronto Wolfpack), Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves), Gil Dudson (Widnes Vikings), Phil Joseph (Workington Town), Matty Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls).