RLIF OFFICIAL RANKING: 12

COACH: John Dixon / Justin Morgan

PLAYERS TO WATCH: David Mills, Glenn Morrison, Ben Flower, Lloyd White

HISTORY

Rugby League has been played in Wales since the 1890s and the sport's first ever international in the northern hemisphere was a 9-8 victory for the Principality against the 'All Golds' in 1908 in Aberdare.

Wales have competed in three World Cups in 1975, 1995 and 2000, making the semi-finals in the two most recent tournaments.

Domestically more people are playing Rugby League at all age levels in Wales than ever before and the inclusion of Celtic Crusaders in the engage Super League has raised levels of awareness of the sport to new levels. Blackwood Bulldogs are the current champions of the eight team Welsh Conference.

PROSPECTS

With a number of Welsh youngsters having had the opportunity to play engage Super League with Celtic Crusaders this season; it's likely that Wales will be a tougher proposition in 2009 than they were in 2008.  A fixture against England in the Gillette Fusion International a week before their European Cup opener with Serbia will be a good test for John Dixon's men who may fancy their chances of creating a shock by beating Ireland in the final group game.

RECENT RESULTS

10 October 2008   England 74  v     Wales 0           Gillette Fusion International

4 November 2007   Scotland 16 v     Wales 18          RL World Cup Qualifier

28 October 2007   Wales 50    v     Papua New Guinea 10     Friendly

29 October 2006   Wales 14    v     Scotland 21       RL World Cup Qualifier

RLEF EUROPEAN CUP FIXTURES (Pool 2)

Sunday 25 October V Serbia (a)      FK Smedervo Stadium     KO14.00

Sunday 1 November V Ireland (h)     Pontypridd RUFC   KO17.00     Live on Sky Sports

Sunday 8 November Finals Day  Bridgend, Wales

The initial line-up named by Wales is made up largely by players from Celtic Crusaders.  Glen Morrison, who will be leaving Bradford Bulls for Wakefield in 2010, is expected to have a key role, along with stalwarts David Mills - son of Welsh RL legend Jim - Ian Watson and Castleford's James Evans. The Dragons will also announce their new coaching line up on Tuesday.

Ashley Bateman, Chris Beasley, Anthony Blackwood, Gil Dudson, Neil Budworth, Geraint Davies, Ben Flower, Jordan James, Elliot Kear, Lewis Mills, Lloyd White (All Crusaders), Andy Bracek (Barrow), Gareth Dean (Carcassonne), Ross Divorty (Featherstone), Ben Evans (Warrington), James Evans (Castleford), Rhys Evans, Rhys Griffiths (both Warrington), Matt James (Harlequins), Phil Joseph (Oldham), Craig Kopzcak (Bradford), David Mills (Hull KR), Glen Morrison (Bradford), Sean Penkywicz (Halifax), Bryn Powell (Dewsbury), Mark Roberts (Halifax) , Rob Roberts (Barrow), Christiaan Roets (Bridgend Blue Bulls) , Ian Watson (Swinton), Ian Webster (Central Coast), Rhys Williams (Warrington).