Wales name squad for Celtic Cup decider with Ireland: a draw is enough
Wales head coach Paul Berry has named his squad to face Ireland in the Men's Celtic Cup decider at Merthyr RFC on Saturday, kick-off 3pm. Both sides beat Scotland in recent weeks, but Wales' superior points difference means they need only a draw to take the trophy, Wales Rugby League said. Wales won 38-0 at Biggar last Saturday; Ireland beat Scotland 46-12 in the opening match.
Wales v Ireland, Men's Celtic Cup
- Kick-off
- Saturday 31 October, 3pm, Merthyr RFC
- Wales v Scotland
- 38-0 (24 October)
- Ireland v Scotland
- 46-12 (17 October)
- Wales need
- A draw to win the Cup
Possible debuts
There are three potential changes to the side that won in Scotland. Jackson Connor, of Brisbane's Carina Tigers, is in line for a first senior cap. If Mason Phillips (WRL Students/South Wales Jets) appears, it will be the third Wales side he has played for this year, after Wales Students and Wales A. Matt Ross of London Broncos could also feature, for a fifth Welsh cap and his first of the season. WRL lists 19 names; the match-day 17 has not been confirmed.
A first trophy since 2015
A win would give Wales three victories in a row for the first time since 2015, the year they last lifted a trophy, the European Championship. Berry said: "A draw would be enough, but we're not going out there to play for a draw. We want to win, make it three victories in a row and bring a trophy home to Wales." Wales A play Combined Southern England Regions at 12.30pm as a curtain-raiser.