Australian-born full-back Andrew Gay has been named in the Wales squad for their Alitalia European Cup clash with Ireland on Sunday.
Full-back included in squad for Ireland match
Australian-born full-back Andrew Gay has been named in the Wales squad for their Alitalia European Cup clash with Ireland on Sunday.
The 21-year-old moved to the United Kingdom in January and targeted a call-up to the Wales national set-up as he is eligible through his father.
He played the past season at Championship One club South Wales Scorpions and earned his first Wales cap against Italy in Wrexham last week.
Gay missed out on the European Cup opener against Scotland but makes a return to Iestyn Harris' 20-man squad for the visit of Ireland.
"I was surprised, especially as I was only drafted into the squad late on because of injuries," he said of his selection.
"I'm hoping to get selected on the day as it will be special for me playing for Wales at The Gnoll, my home ground.
"Making my debut for Wales was awesome. I've always been brought up knowing about my Welsh heritage so it meant a lot to me.
"My dad is staying for the whole tournament now. His eyes were tearing up a little bit when the national anthem was playing in Wrexham and when I was running out but he's looking forward to Sunday now just like me."
Wales squad: M Lennon (Cronulla), C Beasley, I Webster (both Central Queensland), B Flower, G Thomas, G Dudson, J James, L Williams, L White (all Crusaders), R Divorty (Featherstone), D Jones (Keighley), N Budworth (Mackay), A Gay, A James, C Roets (all South Wales), J Emmitt (St Helens), I Watson (Swinton), L Briers (capt), R Williams (both Warrington), J Ross (York).
