Iestyn Harris could play seven debutants against England on Saturday as he named a 19-man squad for his first match in charge of Wales.
New Wales coach includes seven new faces for first game in charge
Iestyn Harris could play seven debutants against England on Saturday as he named a 19-man squad for his first match in charge of Wales.
The Welsh host England at Bridgend's Brewery Field this weekend in a warm-up match for the Tony Smith's men ahead of the Gillette Four Nations series.
Harris takes charge of Wales for the first time and, a day after Brian Noble appointed him as Celtic Crusaders assistant coach, he has 11 players from the Welsh Super League side in his squad.
Five of the 11, Ashley Bateman, Elliot Kear, Lewis Mills, Lloyd White and Neil Budworth, would all make their debuts if they play, while Featherstone's Ross Divorty and Bridgend Blue Bulls man Christiaan Roets are the other two new faces.
Harris has handed the captaincy to 21-year-old Crusaders forward Ben Flower, who takes over from the injured David Mills.
Flower has skippered many sides in the past, from school right up to Newport Gwent Dragons age-group levels but this is his first international appointment.
"It's going to be exciting being only a youngster myself," he said. "For Iestyn to ask me to captain Wales was a dream come true.
"I'm looking forward to the game. I'll try not to let Iestyn and the team down and I'm determined to do my best job on Saturday evening."
Veteran scrum-half Ian Watson will win his 23rd cap and will equal the great Jim Sullivan's appearance record if he goes on to play in all four games - including the European Cup.
"It's just an honour to play every time I pull on that red jersey," said Watson. "It's a big thing for my family and me.
"My mum's Welsh, and all my family are from Wales. I've had some great experiences playing for Wales in the World Cup against teams like Australia and New Zealand and playing in the Millennium Stadium. I'm proud to play for Wales."
Wales squad:
M Barron (Gateshead), A Bateman (Crusaders), A Blackwood (Crusaders), N Budworth (Crusaders), G Davies (Crusaders), R Divorty (Featherstone), G Dudson (Crusaders), B Flower (Crusaders), R Griffiths (Warrington), J James (Crusaders), E Kear (Crusaders), C Kopzcak (Bradford), L Mills (Crusaders), C Roets (Bridgend), I Watson (Leigh), I Webster (Central Comets), L White (Crusaders), L Williams (Crusaders), R Williams (Warrington)
