By Paul Jones
Four Welsh players will help end 550 days of fully capped international exile after being named in the Great Britain hockey squads for home games against Germany that start today.
Rupert Shipperley and Jacob Draper have been named in the men’s squad to face the Germans in a Pro league fixture this afternoon at Lee Valley and then again tomorrow.
Wales pair Leah Wilkinson and Sarah Jones are also included in the women’s squad for the match this evening against Germany and again tomorrow night.
Wales captain Wilkinson returns to the squad, having missed out the last time Great Britain played in November 2020.
If Shipperley plays it will be his first international appearance for Great Britain on home soil.
GB men then have matches lined up against Spain later this month, while the women face the USA as both teams build towards the Olympics in Tokyo later this summer.
All the games are behind closed doors, with Great Britain Hockey having taken the decision not to cater for fans even though restrictions on spectators at events are being lifted form May 17.
Great Britain Men
1) George Pinner (GK) – England
5) David Ames – England
6) Henry Weir – England
7) Alan Forsyth – Scotland
8) Rupert Shipperley – Wales
9) Harry Martin – England
10) Chris Griffiths – England
11) Ian Sloan – England
13) Sam Ward – England
15) Phil Roper – England
16) Adam Dixon (C) – England
18) Brendan Creed – England
19) David Goodfield – England
20) Ollie Payne (GK) – England
21) Liam Ansell – England
23) Harry Gibson (GK) – England
25) Jack Waller – England
26) James Gall – England
27) Liam Sanford – England
29) Tom Sorsby – England
32) Zach Wallace – England
33) Jacob Draper – Wales
Great Britain Women
1) Maddie Hinch (GK) – England
4) Laura Unsworth – England
5) Sarah Evans – England
6) Anna Toman – England
8) Sarah Jones – Wales
9) Susannah Townsend – England
10) Sarah Robertson – Scotland
12) Charlotte Watson – Scotland
13) Ellie Rayer – England
17) Leah Wilkinson – Wales
18) Giselle Ansley – England
20) Hollie Pearne-Webb (C) – England
24) Shona McCallin – England
25) Sabbie Heesh (GK) – England
26) Lily Owsley – England
27) Jo Hunter – England
31) Grace Balsdon – England
32) Amy Costello – Scotland
33) Izzy Petter – England
38) Fiona Crackles – England