Penrith Panthers duo Caleb Aekins and Daniel Brown have been named by Wales coach John Kear in a provisional 38-man train-on squad ahead of Rugby League World Cup.
Aekins and Brown have played leading roles in the success of the Panthers NYC side in 2017.
19-year-old fullback Aekins leads the team for running metres while winger Brown has enjoyed a stellar season out wide, scoring 16 tries in 15 appearances.
The Wales squad was announced on Friday at their World Cup kit launch, which marked 100 days until their opening group match against Papua New Guinea.
In total, the squad features 12 players from Super League clubs, nine players from Championship clubs, 13 players from League 1 clubs and four players from NRL and Australian clubs, including Ollie Olds of West Brisbane Panthers.
"Everybody is pretty excited about the World Cup," Kear said
"Ben Flower, Ollie Olds and Rhys Evans are all currently injured, but we’re giving them every opportunity to recover, go through their rehab and put their hands up for selection.
"As this is a train-on squad, it doesn’t exclude other players from joining the squad at a later date.
"From speaking to the players, I know that they were disappointed with the 2013 World Cup and they see this tournament as a way of rectifying that. At this World Cup, they can set the standard.
"As a group, they really enjoy each other’s company and they will be confident.
"It will be a trip to savour for the players, the support staff and everybody involved.
"With going to places like Papua New Guinea, Townsville and Perth, it’s going to be a real adventure. It will be one that we can enjoy, but we will also have to work hard."
Wales will open their World Cup campaign when they face Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday, October 28.
They will then travel to Townsville in northern Australia to take on Fiji on Sunday, November 7.
Wales' final group match is against Ireland at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Sunday, November 12.
BACKS
Name |
Club |
Number of Caps |
Caleb Aekins |
Penrith Panthers |
0 |
Danny Ansell |
Hunslet |
1 |
Daniel Brown |
Penrith Panthers |
1 |
Michael Channing |
London Broncos |
6 |
Courtney Davies |
Gloucestershire All Golds |
6 |
Rhys Evans |
Warrington Wolves |
3 |
Andrew Gay |
South Wales Ironmen |
6 |
Regan Grace |
St Helens |
3 |
Dalton Grant |
London Broncos |
5 |
Elliot Jenkins |
St Helens |
0 |
Elliot Kear |
London Broncos |
21 |
Rhodri Lloyd |
Swinton Lions |
12 |
Ben Morris |
St Helens |
2 |
Ollie Olds |
West Brisbane Panthers |
8 |
Josh Ralph |
Newcastle Knights |
0 |
Christiaan Roets |
South Wales Ironmen |
23 |
Calvin Wellington |
St Helens |
0 |
Rhys Williams |
London Broncos |
24 |
Zak Williams |
Coventry Bears |
0 |
FORWARDS
Name |
Club |
Number of Caps |
Matty Barron |
Newcastle Thunder |
9 |
Joe Burke |
Oldham |
11 |
Gil Dudson |
Widnes Vikings |
20 |
Jake Emmitt |
Toronto Wolfpack |
6 |
Ben Evans |
London Broncos |
4 |
Morgan Evans |
South Wales Ironmen |
6 |
Connor Farrer |
South Wales Ironmen |
6 |
Dan Fleming |
Toronto Wolfpack |
6 |
Ben Flower |
Wigan Warriors |
17 |
Matty Fozard |
Sheffield Eagles |
5 |
Sam Hopkins |
Leigh Centurions |
1 |
Phil Joseph |
Workington Town |
12 |
Morgan Knowles |
St Helens |
1 |
Craig Kopczak |
Salford Red Devils |
19 |
Steve Parry |
Gloucestershire All Golds |
9 |
Larne Patrick |
Castleford Tigers |
3 |
Lewis Reece |
Gloucestershire All Golds |
7 |
Ant Walker |
Rochdale Hornets |
8 |
Lloyd White |
Widnes Vikings |
15 |
This article first appeared on RLWC2017.com.
