http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/article/wales-announce-2010-international-dates.html
Wales announce 2010 international dates
Both Crusaders and South Wales Scorpions will host full internationals
Both Crusaders and South Wales Scorpions will host full internationals this autumn as Wales look to qualify for the 2011 Four Nations.
Wales will take on Ireland, Scotland and France in the European Cup but will also play two friendly matches against Italy to warm up for arguably their most important autumn of international competition in ten years.
The Welsh side will also take part in the Carnegie Floodlit Nines tournament against many of the top engage Super League sides in Leeds on Wednesday 25th August but the 13-a-side international season will kick-off in earnest less than six weeks later.
Crusaders' Racecourse Ground in Wrexham is up first as Wales take on Italy on Sunday 3rd October, the day after the Super League Grand Final. Kick-off is 2pm. If there are any players taking part in the Old Trafford showpiece then they will not play for Wales in this game.
Wales will then take on Italy again three days later at Colwyn Bay RFC. This will most probably be a completely different Wales team to the Wrexham encounter as coach Iestyn Harris will use the second game to give his fringe players the opportunity to shine.
Wales then kick-off their defence of the European Cup when they take on last year's runners-up Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday 9th October before hosting Ireland at The Gnoll in Neath on Sunday 17th October (kick-off 2pm). The final game is against France in Albi on Saturday 23rd October (kick-off 3pm CET).
The winners of the European Cup will qualify to play against England, Australia and New Zealand in the 2011 Four Nations.
Wales Rugby League's Executive Chairman Mark Rowley said: "To say that this year is big for Wales Rugby League is an understatement. We're facing the biggest autumn of rugby league for Wales since the World Cup came to us in 2000. If we finish European Champions again, then we'll qualify for the Four Nations in 2011 to face England, Australia and New Zealand. This is one of the biggest goals that our players will ever face and they're all up for the challenge. Iestyn Harris is already building a capable squad but we know that we have to be even better than last year, especially against France in Albi as they will be a tough side to beat. We're all looking forward to it and we'll need all of Wales' support for every game."
Ticket information and prices will be posted soon on www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk. Please bookmark the site for all the latest updates.
Wales senior side's fixtures 2010
Carnegie Floodlit Nines
Wednesday 25th August - draw TBA (Headingley, Leeds) - 4pm start
Friendly Internationals
Sunday 3rd October - Wales v Italy (Racecourse Ground, Wrexham) - kick-off 2pm
Wednesday 6th October - Wales v Italy (Colwyn Bay RFC) - kick-off 7.30pm (time TBC)
European Cup
Saturday 9th October - Scotland v Wales (Glasgow) - kick-off 2pm
Sunday 17th October - Wales v Ireland (The Gnoll, Neath) - kick-off 2pm
Saturday 23rd October - France v Wales (Albi) - kick-off 3pm CET
Wales announce 2010 international dates
Both Crusaders and South Wales Scorpions will host full internationals
Both Crusaders and South Wales Scorpions will host full internationals this autumn as Wales look to qualify for the 2011 Four Nations.
Wales will take on Ireland, Scotland and France in the European Cup but will also play two friendly matches against Italy to warm up for arguably their most important autumn of international competition in ten years.
The Welsh side will also take part in the Carnegie Floodlit Nines tournament against many of the top engage Super League sides in Leeds on Wednesday 25th August but the 13-a-side international season will kick-off in earnest less than six weeks later.
Crusaders' Racecourse Ground in Wrexham is up first as Wales take on Italy on Sunday 3rd October, the day after the Super League Grand Final. Kick-off is 2pm. If there are any players taking part in the Old Trafford showpiece then they will not play for Wales in this game.
Wales will then take on Italy again three days later at Colwyn Bay RFC. This will most probably be a completely different Wales team to the Wrexham encounter as coach Iestyn Harris will use the second game to give his fringe players the opportunity to shine.
Wales then kick-off their defence of the European Cup when they take on last year's runners-up Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday 9th October before hosting Ireland at The Gnoll in Neath on Sunday 17th October (kick-off 2pm). The final game is against France in Albi on Saturday 23rd October (kick-off 3pm CET).
The winners of the European Cup will qualify to play against England, Australia and New Zealand in the 2011 Four Nations.
Wales Rugby League's Executive Chairman Mark Rowley said: "To say that this year is big for Wales Rugby League is an understatement. We're facing the biggest autumn of rugby league for Wales since the World Cup came to us in 2000. If we finish European Champions again, then we'll qualify for the Four Nations in 2011 to face England, Australia and New Zealand. This is one of the biggest goals that our players will ever face and they're all up for the challenge. Iestyn Harris is already building a capable squad but we know that we have to be even better than last year, especially against France in Albi as they will be a tough side to beat. We're all looking forward to it and we'll need all of Wales' support for every game."
Ticket information and prices will be posted soon on www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk. Please bookmark the site for all the latest updates.
Wales senior side's fixtures 2010
Carnegie Floodlit Nines
Wednesday 25th August - draw TBA (Headingley, Leeds) - 4pm start
Friendly Internationals
Sunday 3rd October - Wales v Italy (Racecourse Ground, Wrexham) - kick-off 2pm
Wednesday 6th October - Wales v Italy (Colwyn Bay RFC) - kick-off 7.30pm (time TBC)
European Cup
Saturday 9th October - Scotland v Wales (Glasgow) - kick-off 2pm
Sunday 17th October - Wales v Ireland (The Gnoll, Neath) - kick-off 2pm
Saturday 23rd October - France v Wales (Albi) - kick-off 3pm CET
