Rugby league: North Wales Crusaders foursome earn provisional Wales call-ups

May 3 2012 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

FORMER Crusaders boss Iestyn Harris has named four North Wales Crusaders in his 28-man training squad for June.

The Welsh national team will come together leading up to their test match against France at Wrexham on Saturday, June 16.

Harris’ squad contains current Crusaders Owain Brown, Iwan Brown and Kriss Wilkes, three of nine uncapped players included – plus Four Nations stalwart Christiaan Roets.

Some young former Crusaders will also be hoping to impress. Wales’ youngest ever international player Rhodri Lloyd, now at Wigan, will get a chance to win a second cap while his former Crusaders team-mates Ollie Olds and Jack Pring, both now at Leeds Rhinos, will also get their chance to earn a cap.

“I’m really happy with the make-up of the squad which contains a good selection of youth and experience,” said Harris.

“It’s pleasing that 19 out of the 28 players named have come through the Welsh Rugby League development ranks and that’s down to the good structure we have in place with the right people working hard.

“It’s also good that we have players in the squad from North Wales Crusaders. I’m sure that they will all work hard to try and get a place in the matchday squad and I know that the Crusaders players will want to shine on their home ground.

“The French game will be a big test for us and it will be a good indication to see how our players have developed following last year’s Four Nations campaign.”

Tickets are now on sale, priced from £8 for adults and £4 concessions via www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk or www.glyndwr.ac.uk.

Crusaders return to Co-operative Championship One action on Sunday as they head to Oldham’s Whitebank Stadium (3pm).

Wales Rugby League are running a two-day summer camp on Thursday, August 9 and Friday, August 10 for eight- to 15-year-old boys and girls at Queensway Sports Stadium in Wrexham.

Players will receive top-class coaching from experienced coaches to learn the rules of the game, kicking techniques and tactics, ball handling, tackling, game awareness, game play and more.

After the camp, attendees will receive a ticket to watch North Wales Crusaders play.

To book a place on the camp print and fill in the form at www.crusadersrfl.com and post along with payment (either cheque or cash) to Matthew Pritchard, North Wales Development Officer, Wales Rugby League, Deeside Leisure Centre, Chester Road West, Deeside, CH5 1SA.

Cheques should be made payable to Wales Rugby League.

Alternatively, forms can be handed in at the front desk at the leisure centre.