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Wales men set for ranking-points Celtic Cup games in October

Scotland host Wales at Biggar on 24 October before Ireland visit Merthyr’s The Wern on 31 October. Paul Berry’s wider autumn group includes 21 uncapped players.

George Benn ·

Merthyr RFC’s ground, 26 May 2014. Archive photograph predating later improvements, not the 2026 Celtic Cup match setup. Ian S / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; cropped.

Merthyr RFC’s ground, May 2014. Archive photograph predating later improvements, not the 2026 match setup. Ian S / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; cropped.

Original photographCC BY-SA 2.0

Wales men will play Scotland and Ireland for world-ranking points in the 2026 Men’s Celtic Cup, with an away match on 24 October followed by a home game in Merthyr Tydfil on 31 October. Wales Rugby League announced the competition on 6 October. The three-country programme covers consecutive weekends, starting with Scotland against Ireland on 17 October. These are rugby league internationals.

Men’s Celtic Cup fixtures

4 figures

17 October, 3pm
Scotland v Ireland, Hawick RFC
24 October, 1pm
Scotland v Wales, Biggar RFC
31 October, 3pm
Wales v Ireland, The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil
Competition status
Senior rugby league internationals for ranking points

Source: Wales Rugby League

Wales’ two Cup fixtures

Scotland will host Wales at Biggar RFC on Saturday 24 October, with kick-off at 1pm. Wales then welcome Ireland to The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil, on Saturday 31 October at 3pm. The opening match is Scotland against Ireland at Hawick RFC on Saturday 17 October at 3pm. Wales’ separate match against the USA at The Wern on the same date is outside the Celtic Cup programme. WRL describes 2026 as a relaunched men’s edition of the three-nation format. It says the previous senior men’s tournament using that format was held in 1999 and won by Ireland.

A wider autumn squad

Head coach Paul Berry has named a 39-player autumn squad, to be divided between the senior side and Wales A. WRL says 21 players have yet to win a senior cap, including 16 who have represented Wales at junior international level. Those figures describe the wider training group, rather than the team selected for either Celtic Cup match. The Cup announcement does not supply match-day line-ups. Berry has said the three senior autumn matches provide an opportunity to build depth and move junior internationals towards the senior team. Selection for the wider group does not guarantee a senior appearance or cap.

Background and supporting figures

Where this sits

2 checked facts

  1. How does it compare?

    • WalesUSA17October atTheWern is outside CelticCup fixture list, distinct from WalesIreland31October.

      wrl.wales

  2. Who can change it?

    • 39-player group is shared between first team and WalesA;21senioruncapped does not mean21confirmeddebutants.

      wrl.wales

Every line above was checked against the source named beside it before this piece was published.

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