Wales Students head coach Paul Emanuelli has called up George Edge for the Four Nations tournament that opens this Sunday at Edinburgh University.
The Warwick University player replaces full-back Rhys Gant who has pulled out after suffering concussion in a recent club match with Valley Cougars.
This is in addition to stalwart Dafydd Hellard being suspended following a recent sending off and opposition report, while also playing for the Cougars.
Wales, who hosted the tournament last year, face holders England first (kick-off 1pm) before taking on Scotland on Wednesday 26th (5pm) then Ireland on Saturday 29th June (1pm).
All games are to be played at Peffermill Playing Fields at the University of Edinburgh.
“We’re fairly happy about how preparations have gone and we’re looking forward to the week in Scotland,” said Emanuelli.
“It’s been a blow losing Rhys to injury but we’ve a good replacement in George from the University of Warwick who I know will take the opportunity with both hands.
“It’s England first which is normally the toughest game and normally the final game.
“But this could be good for us going in against the favourites fresh and without any knocks. If we get a result against them on Sunday, it’ll boost our confidence against the Celtic nations.
“As I’ve said before, we’ve a young squad because we’re preparing for the 2021 World Cup, but most of our lads come from well-run academy sides as well as colleges and universities, so I know they’ll give this tournament their best effort.”
Back in Wales, there are a number of matches to watch this weekend as the Wales Rugby League domestic season reaches the half-way stage.
Tonight (Thursday), there’s a full programme for the WRL U14 league with Aber Valley Wolves, Bridgend Blue Bulls and Cynon Valley Cavaliers all at home.
On Friday, there’s one Welsh Premier League game as Torfaen Tigers A host Rhondda Outlaws at the Memorial Ground, home of Pontypool United RFC (kick-off 7pm).
Then on Saturday at Glamorgan Wanderers RFC, there’s a double header of matches where Cardiff Blue Dragons A host Valley Cougars A in the WPL (kick-off 1pm), before Cardiff’s first team take on Swindon St George in the Southern Conference League.
Also in the SCL on Saturday, Torfaen Tigers host Gloucestershire All Golds at Pontypool United RFC (kick-off 2.30pm), whilst in League 1, West Wales Raiders are at home to Hunslet at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli (kick-off 3pm).
Three of North Wales Crusaders’ sides are also in action this weekend. On Saturday, their A side are at home to Runcorn at Queensferry Campus, Deeside (kick-off 2.30pm) and their Wheelchair A side travel to face Rochdale Hornets (1pm). Their League 1 side travel to face Whitehaven on Sunday (3pm).
Back in South Wales on Sunday, there are nine junior matches set to take place, three of them at Pyle RFC where Bridgend Blue Bulls host Aber Valley Wolves Blue at U12 and U14 and Cardiff Blue Dragons at U16. Cardiff’s U12 and U14 sides travel to Hirwaun to face Cynon Valley Cavaliers. There’s a similar double header in Trimsran where Llanelli Knights host Torfaen Tigers.
Aber Valley’s two remaining sides are on the road. Their U12 Yellow side are at Sardis Road in Pontypridd taking on Rhondda Outlaws and their U16 side host Llanelli at Aneurin Park in Caerphilly.
Please check www.rugbyleague.cymru for updated kick-off times.
FIXTURES
WRL U14 – Thursday 20/06/2019
Aber Valley Wolves Yellow v Cardiff Blue Dragons
Bridgend Blue Bulls v Torfaen Tigers
Cynon Valley Cavaliers v Llanelli Knights
WRL PREMIER LEAGUE
Friday – Torfaen Tigers A v Rhondda Outlaws
Saturday – Cardiff Blue Dragons A v Valley Cougars A
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE LEAGUE – Saturday
Cardiff Blue Dragons v Swindon St George
Torfaen Tigers v Gloucestershire All Golds
NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE – Saturday
North Wales Crusaders A v Runcorn
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP – Saturday
Rochdale Hornets v North Wales Crusaders A
BETFRED LEAGUE 1
Saturday – West Wales Raiders v Hunslet
Sunday – Whitehaven v North Wales Crusaders
STUDENT FOUR NATIONS
Sunday – England v Wales
U12 – Sunday
Rhondda Outlaws v Aber Valley Wolves Yellow
Bridgend Blue Bulls v Aber Valley Wolves Blue
Cynon Valley Cavaliers v Cardiff Blue Dragons
Llanelli Knights v Torfaen Tigers
U14 – Sunday
Bridgend Blue Bulls v Aber Valley Wolves Blue
Cynon Valley Cavaliers v Cardiff Blue Dragons
Llanelli Knights v Torfaen Tigers
U16 – Sunday
Bridgend Blue Bulls v Cardiff Blue Dragons
Aber Valley Wolves v Llanelli Knights