Wales will play Jamaica international in Wakefield
Thursday 29 September 2016 13:46, UK
Wales will take a break from their World Cup qualifiers to play a first full international against Jamaica on October 21.
The match will take place at Wakefield's Belle Vue Stadium after organisers failed to secure a venue in Wales, but head coach John Kear will at least feel at home as he prepares to take up the role of head of rugby with the Wildcats.
"Jamaica will provide us with the ideal preparation game eight days before the crunch qualifying game against Italy, away in Monza," said Kear, who is keen to maintain momentum during his team's bid to reach the 2017 World Cup.
"At the same time, we are delighted to support the continued development of the international game by playing Jamaica and I'm excited to see what talent they will bring.
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"Enquiries were made to a number of venues in Wales. However, at the time of getting the match sanctioned, nobody could guarantee the date would be kept free, so it wasn't possible.
"While I know Wales Rugby League are working on this, it just highlights again why the sport needs a permanent home in Wales."
The only time that the two countries have met before was in the Commonwealth Nines in Glasgow in 2014 where the Dragons won 34-0.
Wales begin their European qualifying campaign against Serbia in Llanelli on Saturday, October 15, and they visit Italy a fortnight later.
