R League: Iestyn is ready for action

Oct 25 2007 Western Mail

HEAD coach Martin Hall has said Iestyn Harris will definitely play a part in Wales’ two rugby league internationals over the coming weeks.

Bradford Bulls’ 32-year-old Harris was due to turn out for Wales last year in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier with Scotland at Bridgend’s Brewery Field, but failed to turn up because he had not recovered fully from keyhole surgery to his knee.

But the former Cardiff Blues and Wales outside-half has said he will be available for his country this autumn as they bid to reach the World Cup finals in 2008 in Australia.

Wales face Papua New Guinea, who they beat in the 2000 World Cup on the way to the semi-finals, at the Brewery Field on Sunday for a warm-up ahead of the deciding second leg with Scotland on November 4 in Glasgow.

Hall and the north of England-based players in his 29-man squad met up yesterday for a training session and will be linking with the rest of the squad, mostly from the Celtic Crusaders, tomorrow.

But the coach said Harris is certain to have a game in the next two weeks, his first Welsh cap since the last of his 29 union internationals three years ago.

Hall said, "I know Iestyn was injured last year which is why he could not play, but he is fit now and he will definitely play in one of the two matches. I don’t know if he will have a full game against Papua New Guinea because we would want to ensure he does not get injured and save him for the Scotland match."

"But it is great to have somebody of his talent in our squad and he will be forming a half-back combination with Lee Briers."

Scrum-half and Welsh captain Briers, however, could miss the match because of an ankle injury picked up against St Helens when playing for Warrington last month.

Wales will, though, be without St Helens star Keiron Cunningham who has retired from all international rugby.