RUGBY LEAGUE: South Wales Scorpions have released squad numbers for both their first team and under-20 side for the 2016 season with a total of 53 players signed with the club.
All players will be presented with their shirts at a special presentation at Caerphilly RFC on Thursday January 28 at 7.30pm. Merchandise and season tickets will be on sale at the free event.
The club’s head coach Phil Carleton has named a first team squad of 21, with 11 new signings and potentially more to come.
Under-20s head coach Paul Emanuelli has named a strong talented 32-man squad.
Meanwhile, four of last season’s first team: Rhys Davies, Paul Edwards, Ben Jones and Zak Williams, will all spearhead the new South Wales Scorpions under-20 side – an outfit which has already played their first game of the season, beating a Bath and Wiltshire Romans first team 72-0.
Whilst there are many signings from rugby union clubs, all 53 have played Rugby League in the past.
Signings have been made from all the senior South Wales community sides following an extensive search, scouting in 2015 and open trials, ensuring that the pathway from community to professional Rugby League is active and working in the area.
Return to Wales
Meanwhile, a total of five Welsh players have returned to Wales from Gloucestershire All Golds, as young Welshmen are continuing to prefer to play their Rugby League in Wales.
Four under 20s players, Jake McDonald, Macauley Harris, Cobi Green and Liam Silver, will also play for the Coleg Y Cymoedd Rugby League academy, an organisation that the Scorpions will have strong links with. McDonald, Harris and Green are just three of 15 of the new players in the under-20 squad to have graduated from the successful WRL run South Wales under 16 side, again showing progression from the established academy systems in the area.
Scorpions head coach Phil Carleton said: “I’m really excited about the whole season with South Wales Scorpions.
“In regards to the senior side, all the boys know that this is a big year for them as a club and as individuals. We’d always like another week or so to prepare but I think, come the start of the league season we will be set.
“There has been a lot of talk and a lot of changes over the past few months. It’s now time to put it all into action and we can’t wait for 3pm on Saturday February 6 when we host Gloucestershire All Golds at our new home of Caerphilly RFC.”
Scorpions’ under 20 coach Paul Emanuelli added: “The under-20s have been an absolute pleasure to coach during pre-season. We have a brilliant atmosphere and the squad has gelled fantastically.
“My role is ultimately to bring these lads through to the senior side and from what I’ve seen there’s going to be plenty to choose from.”