Wales wheelchair rugby league squad named for World Cup

South Wales Jets player Mark Williams has been named in the 12-player Wales squad for the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Williams, who is the most capped player in the national squad with 42 appearances, represented both the Jets and English Super League side Wigan Warriors during 2026.

He helped the Jets secure the Welsh Rugby League title this season, alongside reaching the Super League and RFL Challenge Cup semi-finals with Wigan.

Head coach Alan Caron’s 12-player squad also features two father-and-son pairings for the first time at a World Cup: Martin and Matthew Turner, and Gareth and Sid Ramsey.

Uncapped players John Berriman (York RLFC), Fionn McCabe (North Wales Crusaders), and Gareth Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles) have also been selected. Leeds Rhinos captain Jodie Boyd-Ward could reach 50 international caps during the tournament if she features in three matches.

Caron, who played for Wales at the last three world cups, said: “This is a squad we can be incredibly proud of. We’ve players with huge international experience alongside some exciting new talent, and everyone selected has earned the right to be here.

“Having two father-and-son combinations in the squad makes this World Cup particularly special. Gareth and Sid, and Martin and Matthew, have the opportunity to share something that very few players ever get to experience: representing Wales together at a World Cup.

“For John, Fionn and Gareth, the opportunity to make their Wales debuts at a World Cup would be something very special, while our experienced players will be vital in helping them and the rest of the squad through the tournament.”

He added: “We know the standard will be extremely high, but we’re not going to Australia just to take part. We want to compete, we want to win games and, above everything, we want to make Wales proud.”

The national side is currently raising money to support the trip through the ‘10,000 for CYMRU‘ appeal. The campaign aims to collect 10,000 individual £1 donations to cover costs of the trip down under, including pre-tournament training in Wales, travel costs to Heathrow Airport, and specialist equipment.

Wales will play matches in Wollongong, starting against England on Friday October 30 at 4.30am. Group matches against Ireland follow on Tuesday November 3 (5am) and the USA on Friday November 6 (2.30am GMT).

Wales World Cup Squad

• Mark Williams (Wigan Warriors/South Wales Jets)
• Stuart Williams (Edinburgh Giants/North Wales Crusaders)
• Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos)
• Andrew Higgins (Midlands Hurricanes)
• Lee Sargent (Midlands Hurricanes/Cardiff Blue Dragons)
• Jonathan Gill (North Wales Crusaders)
• Fionn McCabe (North Wales Crusaders)
• Martin Turner (North Wales Crusaders)
• Gareth Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles)
• Sid Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles)
• Matthew Turner (Wigan Warriors/North Wales Crusaders)
• John Berriman (York RLFC)