photo by Ian Lovell

The Wales under-19 side kick off their European Championship campaign on today (5 July) when they face Scotland in Canet, France in their bid to win this inaugural crown.

The young Dragons have also been drawn in a group against the hosts, France who they face on Sunday in a potential group decider. Ireland, England and Serbia are in the other group.

Only the winner of each three team group goes through to the Final with the group runners up playing for third and fourth place and the bottom sides facing each other for the wooden spoon in a triple header final day in Le Barcares on Wednesday 12th July.

With the exception of Matt Barron who plays for Keighley Cougars, all of the Wales squad have been picked from the Welsh Conference Premier clubs. However many of them are also on Celtic Crusaders books and have starred in their academy side who have faced sides from Harlequins, Widnes and the Royal Navy already this season. Aberavon Fighting Irish head the list with eight players while Valley Cougars, who have always been renowned for having a strong youth set-up, have six men in the 21-strong squad.

On the eve of the competition, the Rugby League European Federation Development Officer Kevin Rudd said: “I am really excited by this international event and hope that it will help establish some building blocks and pathways for the future for the different countries. Already there have been approaches made by other European nations who wish to take part at this level next year. This week is set to be exciting, intense and hugely enjoyable for all involved.” 

Full squad details here

Details of fixtures here

article by Ian Golden
3 July 2006