Wales national wheelchair rugby league team

Last updated

Wales
Team information
Governing body Wales Rugby League
Region Europe
Head coachAlan Caron
IRL ranking 5 Steady2.svg (21 July 2025) [1]
Team results
First international
World Cup
Appearances3 (first time in 2013 )
Best result

The Wales national wheelchair rugby league team represents Wales in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships and several tournaments within the British Isles, such as the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

Contents

History

In July 2012 Wales took part their first international competition, the Four Nations, a round-robin tournament between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. [3] [4] The tournament was held as part of preparations for the world cup taking place the following year. [5] At the 2013 World Cup Wales progressed from the group stage with wins over Australia and Ireland and defeat to England. They lost their semi-final against France and finished third by defeating Australia in the third-place play-off. [6] Wales were unsuccessful at the 2014 Four Nations and the 2015 European Championships where they lost all their matches. [7] [8]

In 2016 they joined Scotland and Ireland to compete in the Celtic Cup, which had been first contested the previous year [9] but became an annual three-team round-robin from 2016. [10] Wales won the tournament in 2016 and until 2023 were unbeaten in the Celtic Cup. [9] [11]

At the 2017 World Cup Wales finished bottom of Group A with losses to Australia, England and France. They then lost to Italy in the group play-offs but defeated Spain to take fifth place. [12] [13] At the 2021 World Cup Wales suffered their heaviest ever defeat by losing their opening match 6–154 to France. [14] However, victories over the United States and Scotland meant Ireland progressed to the knockout phase of the tournament where they lost to England in the semi-final. [15] [16] [17] Stuart Williams was one of the ten players named in the RLWC2021 Wheelchair Team of the Tournament. [18]

In February 2024, Wales travelled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to play a two-match series against the United States in which were the first wheelchair internationals to be played in the Americas. [19] Wales won both matches. [20]

Squad

Wales squad for 2025 Celtic Cup
First team squadCoaching staff
  • Jessica Booth – North Wales Crusaders
  • Jodie Boyd-Ward – Leeds Rhinos
  • Brogan Evans – North Wales Crusaders & Salford Red Devils
  • Jonathan Gill – North Wales Crusaders
  • Alex Powell – Hereford Harriers & Torfaen Tigers
  • Lee Sargent – Cardiff Blue Dragons & Hereford Harriers
  • Scott Trigg-Turner – Torfaen Tigers & Wigan Warriors
  • Jakub Wasieczko – North Wales Crusaders
  • Mark Williams – Torfaen Tigers & Wigan Warriors
  • Stuart Williams – North Wales Crusaders

Head coach

  • Alan Caron


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 25 May 2025
Source(s): [21]

Competitive record

World Cup

World Cup Record
YearFinish
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2008 Did not enter
Flag of England.svg 2013 3rd
Flag of France.svg 2017 5th
Flag of England.svg 2021 Semi-final

Celtic Cup

Celtic Cup results by year: Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
Opponent \ Year20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland xWWWW–WWDLL
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland xWWWW–WWWLW
Finish:x1111–11132
Source: [22] [23]
Notes:
  • 2015: Wales did not take part – Ireland and Scotland played each other twice [24]
  • 2020: The tournament was cancelled in 2020 [25]

Results and fixtures

DateScore [a] OpponentCompetitionRef.
7 July 201220–6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2012 Four Nations [26]
7 July 201244–4Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland [27]
8 July 20120–34Flag of England.svg  England [28]
3 July 2013104–6Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2013 World Cup Group stage [6]
6 July 201325–16Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia [6]
9 July 20136–50Flag of England.svg  England [6]
11 July 201330–71Flag of France.svg  France 2013 World Cup Semi-final [6]
13 July 201316–14Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2013 World Cup 3rd-place play-off [6]
13 September 201410–58Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2014 Four Nations [7]
13 September 201414–34Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [29]
14 September 20146–80Flag of England.svg  England [7]
9 August 201529–46Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland Friendly [8]
24 September 201525–26Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2015 European Championship [8]
25 September 20158–56Flag of England.svg  England [8]
25 September 20155–52Flag of France.svg  France [8]
26 September 201536–46Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland [8]
30 April 201676–26Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2016 Celtic Cup [30]
30 April 201692–22Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [31]
24 September 201642–18Exiles [b] 2016 Four Nations [30]
24 September 201641–28Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [33]
25 September 201614–56Flag of England.svg  England [30]
25 September 201626–52Flag of England.svg  England 2016 Four Nations Final [30] [34]
29 April 201751–6Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2017 Celtic Cup [12]
29 April 201771–0Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [35]
20 July 201724–72Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2017 World Cup Group stage [6]
22 July 201732–78Flag of England.svg  England [6]
24 July 201710–118Flag of France.svg  France [6]
25 July 201724–105Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2017 World Cup Group stage play-off [6]
27 July 201766–45Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2017 World Cup 5th-place play-off [6]
28 April 2018112–41Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2018 Celtic Cup [36]
28 April 201884–30Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland [37]
27 April 2019102–10Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2019 Celtic Cup [38]
27 April 2019109–8Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland [39]
28 September 201990–12Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2019 Tri-Nations [40]
28 September 201924–48Flag of England.svg  England [39]
29 September 201940–54Flag of England.svg  England 2019 Tri-Nations Final [41]
12 June 202196–16Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2021 Celtic Cup [42]
12 June 2021102–18Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [43]
26 June 202122–102Flag of England.svg  England Friendly [42]
16 October 202162–48Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland Friendly [42]
30 October 202170–34Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Friendly [44]
7 May 202264–22Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2022 Celtic Cup [45]
7 May 2022116–6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [46]
8 October 202267–52Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland Friendly [45]
29 October 202238–86Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Friendly [45]
4 November 20226–154Flag of France.svg  France 2021 World Cup Group stage [45] [14]
7 November 202250–32Flag of the United States.svg  United States [45]
10 November 202270–36Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [45]
13 November 202222–125Flag of England.svg  England 2021 World Cup Semi-final [45] [17]
18 June 202330–30Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 2023 Celtic Cup [47]
18 June 202376–30Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [47]
14 January 202434–24 Armyrlcolours.png British Army Test series warm-up game [48]
2 February 202478–24Flag of the United States.svg  United States Two match test series [20]
3 February 202452–22Flag of the United States.svg  United States [20]
8 June 202452–64Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2024 Celtic Cup [20] [49]
8 June 202432–68Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland [20] [50]
24 May 202562–54Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2025 Celtic Cup [51]
24 May 202510–66Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland [51]

Records and rankings

IRL Wheelchair World Rankings
Official rankings as of July 2025
RankChangeTeamPts %
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 100
2Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 96
3Steady2.svgFour Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 60
4Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 52
5Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 49
6Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 41
7Steady2.svgFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 27
8Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25
9Increase2.svg 1Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0
Complete rankings at
www.internationalrugbyleague.com
Wales historical IRL Wheelchair World Rankings
Jun
2020		Dec
2021		Jun
2022		Dec
2022		Jun
2023		Dec
2023		Jun
2024		Dec
2024		Jun
2025
Ranking3334 (Red Arrow Down.svg1)3 (Green Arrow Up Darker.svg1)35 (Red Arrow Down.svg2)55
References [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] [65]

Honours

Notes

  1. ↑ Wales score given first
  2. ↑ The Exiles were a mix of Irish, Welsh and English players as Ireland were unable to travel with a full side to the 2016 Four Nations [32]

References

  1. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: Wheelchair". International Rugby League. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Wales Wheelchair celebrates ten years". Wales Rugby League. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "England win Wheelchair Four Nations". European Rugby League. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2012". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hull hosts Wheelchair Rugby League 4 Nations". European Rugby League. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Wheelchair World Cup". rugbyleague.wales. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2014". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2015". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Celtic Cup". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Wales set sights on sixth straight Celtic Cup". Everything Rugby League. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Wales retain wheelchair Celtic Cup after historic draw". International Rugby League. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  12. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2017". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Match Report: 2017 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Fifth-Place Play-Off". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 "France fall just short of world record in breathtaking Wheelchair rugby league opener". Love Rugby League. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup: Wales see off USA 50–32 to keep semi-final hopes alive". BBC Sport. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup: Wales beat Scotland 70-36 to set up England semi-final". BBC Sport. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  17. 1 2 "England Wheelchair 125–22 Wales Wheelchair". RLWC2021. 13 November 2022. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  18. ↑ "RLWC2021: Women's and Wheelchair Teams of the Tournament revealed". Love Rugby League. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  19. ↑ "Wales Wheelchair Rugby League confirm squad for USA tour". ITV News . 10 December 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2024". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  21. ↑ "Wheelchair Celtic Cup preview". European Rugby League. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  22. ↑ "Scotland Wheelchair Fixtures and Results". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  23. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  24. ↑ "Celtic Cup". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "The Wheelchair Rugby League Celtic Cup returns to Scotland". Scotland Rugby League. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  26. ↑ "Wales 20v6 Scotland". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "Wales 44–4 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "England 34–0 Wales". European Rugby League. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  29. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 14v34 SCOT Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2016". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  31. ↑ "SCOT Wheelchair 22v92 WAL Wheelchair". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  32. ↑ "Exiles Wheelchair 62v24 SCOT Wheelchair". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  33. ↑ "SCOT Wheelchair 28v41 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  34. ↑ "England claim Wheelchair 4 Nations title". Scotland Rugby League. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "SCOT Wheelchair 0v71 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 112v41 SCOT Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  37. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2018". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  38. ↑ "SCOT Wheelchair 10v102 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  39. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2019". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  40. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 90v12 SCOT Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  41. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 40v54 ENG Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  42. 1 2 3 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2021". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  43. ↑ "SCOT Wheelchair 18v102 WAL Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  44. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 70v34 SCOT Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2022". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  46. ↑ "WAL Wheelchair 116v6 SCOT Wheelchair". Wales Rugby League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  47. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2023". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  48. ↑ "Cadair Olwyn | Wales 34 The Army 24". Wales Rugby League. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  49. ↑ "Scotland 64 v 52 Wales". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  50. ↑ "Ireland 68 v 32 Wales". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  51. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2025". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  52. ↑ "Inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Rankings revealed". RFL. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  53. ↑ "Serbia move into Top 10 in men's world rankings". IRL. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  54. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022.
  55. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: Tonga continue rise as rivals close gap on Jillaroos, France". IRL. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022.
  56. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022.
  57. ↑ "Explainer: Wheelchair IRL World Rankings (Dec 2022)". IRL. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023.
  58. ↑ "Serbia, Philippines, Wales big movers in IRL World Rankings". IRL. 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  59. ↑ "Kangaroos still ranked No.1 despite record loss to Kiwis". NRL. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  60. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024.
  61. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: June 30, 2024". IRL. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  62. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: December 2024". IRL. 19 December 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  63. ↑ "World Rankings Updated". ERL. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  64. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  65. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: June 30, 2025". IRL. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.

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