Kear leads Wales with teenager Glover set for debut
Elliott Kear retains the Wales captaincy for their autumn internationals
- Published
Batley Bulldogs' Elliott Kear will lead a Wales squad including Salford Red Devils teenager Charlie Glover in their autumn internationals.
Glover, 19, is one of 12 uncapped players in coach John Kear's 26-man squad.
Wales face Jamaica in Neath on Tuesday, 15 October in 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 2025 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.
Aber Valley Wolves product Billy Walkley is also an uncapped member of the squad.
Glover made his Super League debut for Salford off the bench as Wigan Warriors secured the League Leaders' Shield in a heavy win on Thursday, 19 September.
John Kear has also named Leeds Rhinos reserves captain Ashton Robinson and St Helens academy product Ben Lane in an extended squad, which will be reduced to 18 to host Jamaica before 20 are selected to head to France.
Rhys Williams could extend his record as Wales' most capped men's international, as one of 13 players chosen who were part of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup squad.
“We’re excited by the three matches that await us,” said Kear.
“It’s fantastic that we will be back playing in Wales after so long away, before the opportunity to take a step closer to the next World Cup.
"We have a mix of experienced heads and those who will be eager to make their mark on the international stage."
Wales squad: Bailey Antrobus (York Knights), Harry Boots (Cornwall), Sam Bowring (Midlands Hurricanes), Mike Butt (Widnes Vikings), Max Clarke (Barrow Raiders), Joe Coope-Franklin (Salford Red Devils), Connor Davies (Halifax Panthers), Curtis Davies (Dewsbury Rams), Gil Dudson (Salford Red Devils - on loan), Will Evans (Whitehaven), Ben Evans (North Wales Crusaders), Jude Ferreira (Hunslet RLFC), Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Charlie Glover (Salford Red Devils), Elliot Kear (capt, Batley Bulldogs), Ben Lane (St Helens), Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes Vikings), Josh Ralph (St George Illawarra Dragons), Owen Restall (Dewsbury Rams), Luis Roberts, Ashton Robinson (both Leeds Rhinos), Matt Ross (Cornwall), Anthony Walker (Swinton Lions), Billy Walkley (Keighley Cougars), Rhys Williams (Swinton Lions), Huw Worthington (Whitehaven).