Wales name two father-and-son pairs in World Cup squad
Wales have selected two father-and-son pairings in a 12-player squad for the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Australia.
World Cup squad
- Players
- 12
- Father-son pairs
- 2
- Possible debutants
- 3
- Guaranteed matches
- 5
Martin and Matthew Turner and Gareth and Sid Ramsey will travel together. Wales Rugby League says this is the first time a father and son have represented Wales together at a Wheelchair World Cup, and the first time two such pairings have been selected in one squad.
Three possible Wales debuts
Gareth Ramsey is one of three uncapped players alongside John Berriman and 15-year-old Fionn McCabe. Wales have fielded 48 wheelchair internationals since the team began in 2012. The first debutant in Australia would therefore become the 49th and, if at least two of the three play, another would become the 50th.
McCabe will turn 16 shortly before the tournament. The North Wales Crusaders player is set to become Wales third-youngest senior international and was his club’s leading try scorer as Crusaders finished runners-up in the RFL Wheelchair Championship.
Boyd-Ward closes on 50 career caps
Jodie Boyd-Ward enters her fourth World Cup with 47 career international appearances: 18 for Wales, seven for Ireland and 22 for England. If the Leeds Rhinos captain plays all three group games, she will reach 50 career caps against the United States on 6 November.
Head coach Alan Caron said the squad combines experienced internationals with new talent. He said Wales want to compete and win games rather than simply take part.
Wales group fixtures and how to watch
Wales begin against England in Wollongong on Friday 30 October at 4.30am GMT. Ireland follow on Tuesday 3 November at 5am, then the United States on Friday 6 November at 2.30am. All eight teams are guaranteed five matches through the semi-final and ranking-match format. The final is on Friday 13 November.
Premier Sports holds the exclusive UK and Ireland broadcast rights. Wales Rugby League is also running its 10,000 for CYMRU appeal, which seeks 10,000 one-pound donations towards travel, training venues, specialist wheelchairs and equipment.
Wales squad
Stuart Williams; Jodie Boyd-Ward; Andrew Higgins; Lee Sargent; Jonathan Gill; Fionn McCabe; Martin Turner; Gareth Ramsey; Sid Ramsey; Matthew Turner; Mark Williams; John Berriman.