International Rugby League is coming to the Wrexham this October. Wales will warm up for this Autumn’s Alitalia European with glamour friendly against Italy at the Racecourse on Sunday October 3rd (kick-off 2pm).
Tickets for this huge international fixture are now available by calling the Crusaders’ ticket office on 0871 221 5911, by calling into the club shop at the Racecourse Ground or online at www.crusadersrfl.com.
Wales Head Coach Iestyn Harris is expected to name a strong squad for the game, which could be Gareth Thomas’ first game in a Wales Rugby League shirt. Thomas, 36, has made 100 appearances for Wales in Rugby Union before switching codes with Crusaders in March and will hope to represent his country now in the 13-man code.
Joining Thomas in the Wales squad will be his Crusaders team mates Ben Flower, Elliot Kear, Lewis Mills, Lloyd White, Gil Dudson, Luke Dyer and Lee Williams. Warrington skipper Lee Briers is also expected to come out of international retirement for the European Cup.
And in a unique twist, their Crusaders team mate Rocky Trimarchi will be turning out for Italy in the fixture.
Wales will be defending their Alitalia European Cup crown and will take on Scotland, Ireland and France, with the winners going through to the Four Nations tournament to face England, Australia and New Zealand in 2011.
Wales, led by Crusaders’ Jordan James, won the trophy last year, with an outstanding 28-16 victory over Scotland.
Gareth Thomas can’t wait to play for his country again and make his 101st appearance in a Welsh international shirt.
“To be able to represent Wales in a different sport, in such a short space of time, is a massive honour and achievement for me.,” Thomas said.
“No-one likes representing their country more than me. For me to hopefully say I’ve represented Wales in both codes is a great honour for me and my family and is one of the highlights of my rugby career.
“Hopefully I can give as much to the Wales Rugby League team as I did in union. It will mean as much, if not more for me to represent Wales in Rugby League. I never officially retired form international rugby when I played union, so I never thought in my wildest dream that I would play for Wales again. And never in my wildest, wildest dreams would I have thought I would be representing Wales in Rugby League. It’s a great honour for me.”
Cllr Bob Dutton, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Communities and Performance, is thrilled to have international sport returning to Wrexham.
He said: “I am delighted that Wales will be playing this prestigious fixture at the Racecourse Ground here in Wrexham. This area deserves to have top class international sporting events and I am sure this event will attract supporters from throughout Wales to Wrexham.”
