Wigan Warriors duo named in Wales squad for Women's Rugby League World Cup

Wigan Warriors duo Carys Marsh and Bethan Dainton have been named in Wales’ squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup this autumn.

Wales coach Tom Brindle has named a 23-woman squad for their maiden World Cup appearance this October, with the team set to be captained by Caerphilly-born Dainton.

Experienced hooker Marsh has been with the Warriors since 2019, while forward Dainton linked up with Denis Betts’ side ahead of this season after arriving from Leeds Rhinos.

Brindle’s squad includes three players who turned out in the first-ever game for Wales Rugby League Women - Leanne Burnell, Kathryn Salter and Emily Hughes.

Burnell is one of nine Cardiff Demons players in the squad, while London Broncos pair Salter and Hughes are joined by their club teammates Ffion Lewis and Jade Mullen, all of whom earned promotion to the Women’s Super League on Sunday afternoon.

There are six uncapped players, with Cardiff duo Hannah Bluck and Erin Williams earning their first call-up. Bluck could earn a Welsh cap in a fourth different sport, having previously represented her country in football, rugby union and basketball.

Other uncapped players include Canterbury Bulldogs captain Tayla Preston and North Queensland Cowboys winger Sian Williams. Warrington Wolves winger Hollie Brussels will be hoping to earn her first Welsh cap in the tournament, as will St Helens forward Paige Travis, who will join the Welsh squad for the first time after switching her allegiance from England, for whom she won seven caps.

York Valkyrie forward Agnes Wood, who was part of the York side that won the Women’s Super League Grand Final on Sunday night, is also included in Brindle’s squad.

Wales squad for Women’s Rugby League World Cup: Hannah Bluck, Leanne Burnell, Katie Carr, Lucia Davies, Jasmine Gibbons, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Amberley Ruck, Erin Williams (all Cardiff Demons), Hollie Brussels (Warrington Wolves), Georgia Cussions, Gracie Hobbs (both Huddersfield Giants), Bethan Dainton, Carys Marsh (both Wigan Warriors), Emily Hughes, Ffion Lewis, Jade Mullen, Kathryn Salter (all London Broncos), Dani McGifford, Paige Travis (both St Helens), Tayla Preston (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sian Williams (North Queensland Cowboys), Agnes Wood (York Valkyrie).

Wales will begin their World Cup campaign against England in Perth on October 17 before facing Samoa on October 23 and then finishing the group stage against reigning World Cup winners Australia on November 1.