Head coach Alan Caron has named his 12-player Wales squad for the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Australia, with Cymru set to make history with two father-and-son pairings for the first time.
Martin and Matthew Turner are set to represent their country, as will Gareth and Sid Ramsey, making this the first time a father and son have represented Wales together at a Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup and the first time that two such pairings have been named in one squad. A father-and-son pair have featured in the Wales set-up previously, but never before on the World Cup stage.
Sheffield Eagles’ Gareth Ramsey is one of three potential Wales debutants, with John Berriman of York RLFC and Fionn McCabe of North Wales Crusaders also both uncapped. One of these players could become Wales’ 50th wheelchair international, with the side having fielded 48 players since its inception in 2012.
Turning 16 just before the tournament starts, McCabe is set to be Wales’ third-youngest senior international. Showing maturity beyond his age, he was top try scorer for Crusaders this season as they won silver in this year’s RFL Wheelchair Championship, losing in the final.
The tournament could also see Jodie Boyd-Ward make wheelchair rugby league history, with the Leeds Rhinos’ captain hoping to become the first wheelchair player to reach 50 international caps if she takes part in three matches in Australia. She comes into her fourth World Cup with 18 Wales caps, having previously won seven for Ireland and 22 for England.
Mark Williams has the most Wales caps in the squad with 42 appearances. He is one of a few players in this Wales squad who played in both the Welsh and English leagues in 2026, with Williams helping South Wales Jets to win the WRL title and Wigan Warriors to Super League and RFL Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Caron, who played for Wales in the last three World Cups, is relishing the opportunity to coach his nation this time around. He said: “This is a squad we can be incredibly proud of. We’ve players with huge international experience alongside some exciting new talent, and everyone selected has earned the right to be here.
“Having two father-and-son combinations in the squad makes this World Cup particularly special. Gareth and Sid, and Martin and Matthew, have the opportunity to share something that very few players ever get to experience: representing Wales together at a World Cup.
“For John, Fionn and Gareth, the opportunity to make their Wales debuts at a World Cup would be something very special, while our experienced players will be vital in helping them and the rest of the squad through the tournament.
“We know the standard will be extremely high, but we’re not going to Australia just to take part. We want to compete, we want to win games and, above everything, we want to make Wales proud.”
Wales, who kick off the World Cup against England on Friday 30 October, are guaranteed five matches at the tournament, as all eight sides qualify for either the semi-finals or ranking matches, with every match taking place at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong. The final is on Friday 13 November.
Premier Sports holds the exclusive UK and Ireland broadcast rights to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. For those who are going to Australia to support us, please buy tickets here.
Wales Wheelchair World Cup Squad:
Stuart Williams (Edinburgh Giants/North Wales Crusaders), Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos), Andrew Higgins (Midlands Hurricanes), Lee Sargent (Midlands Hurricanes/Cardiff Blue Dragons), Jonathan Gill, Fionn McCabe, Martin Turner (all North Wales Crusaders), Gareth Ramsey, Sid Ramsey (both Sheffield Eagles), Matthew Turner (Wigan Warriors/North Wales Crusaders), Mark Williams (Wigan Warriors/South Wales Jets), John Berriman (York RLFC).
Wales Wheelchair World Cup group fixtures (all tournament matches are at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong)
Friday 30 October 2026 England v Wales (3.30pm local, 4.30am GMT)
Tuesday 3 November 2026 Ireland v Wales (4pm local, 5am GMT)
Friday 6 November 2026 Wales v USA (1.30pm local, 2.30am GMT)
HELP PUT CYMRU ON THE WORLD STAGE
Wales’ Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup campaign is being supported by the 10,000 for CYMRU fundraising appeal.
The campaign aims to raise £10,000 through 10,000 donations of £1, helping meet the costs of taking Wales’ wheelchair team to Australia.
The money will help cover the significant costs of the campaign, including travel to Heathrow Airport, training venue costs in Wales before the tournament, specialist wheelchair requirements, equipment and other essential World Cup expenses.
You can support 10,000 for CYMRU here:
Donate to 10,000 for CYMRU
Every £1 helps. Every donation helps put CYMRU on the world stage.
Diolch.
THE WALES SQUAD – pen pictures
John Berriman (York RLFC) – uncapped
John Berriman has earned his place in the World Cup squad after performing well for York in the RFL Wheelchair Championship and could make his Wales debut on the biggest international stage.
Jodie Boyd-Ward (Leeds Rhinos) – 18 Wales caps, debut: 12 June 2021
One of the most experienced players in the squad, Jodie Boyd-Ward who captained Leeds Rhinos to two finals this season, where they were runners up each time, has represented Ireland, England and Wales, winning seven caps for Ireland and 22 for England before making her Wales debut in 2021; if she plays in three World Cup matches, she will become the first wheelchair rugby league player to reach 50 international caps.
Jonathan Gill (North Wales Crusaders) – 1 cap, debut: 24 May 2025
Jonthan Gill is one of Wales’ newer international players having made his debut in 2025 before earning selection for his first World Cup. He scored over 20 tries this season for Crusaders, helping them to the final of the RFL Wheelchair Championship.
Andrew Higgins (Midlands Hurricanes) – 37 caps, debut: 13 September 2014
Andrew Higgins in Wales’ points scorer with 511 to his name (53 tries, 148 goals and 3 drop goals). Now based in the USA, he played some matches for Midlands Hurricanes in the Championship this season, and is hoping to play his first Wales match in over two years.
Fionn McCabe (North Wales Crusaders) – uncapped
After an outstanding season with North Wales Crusaders, where he was the club’s top try scorer with 46 on their way to reaching the RFL Wheelchair Championship Final, McCabe has been rewarded with World Cup selection and is in line to make his Wales debut in Australia. Despite only turning 16 just two weeks before the tournament starts, he has just completed his fourth season in senior Wheelchair Rugby League.
Gareth Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles) – uncapped
Gareth Ramsey is one of three potential debutants and will share the World Cup stage with his son Sid in a landmark tournament for the family. He has been primarily playing for Sheffield in the Super League development or reserves matches this season.
Sid Ramsey (Sheffield Eagles) – 2 caps, debut: 23 May 2026
Having made his Wales debut earlier this year, Sid Ramsey will now represent Cymru at his first World Cup alongside his father Gareth. One of the up-and-coming stars of Wheelchair Super League, he is turning 18 just before flying to Australia.
Lee Sargent (Midlands Hurricanes/Cardiff Blue Dragons) – 8 caps, debut: 16 October 2021
Lee Sargent made his Wales debut in 2021 and this will be his first World Cup. Registered in the Welsh and English competitions, he started this season by helping Cardiff to the final of the Welsh League before playing the RFL Championship season with Midlands Hurricanes.
Martin Turner (North Wales Crusaders) – 2 caps, debut: 8 June 2024
Martin Turner made his Wales debut in 2024 and will share the World Cup stage with his son Matthew in a memorable tournament for the Turner family. He was top points scorer for Crussders this season, where his 27 tries and 87 goals gave them a runners-up position in the RFL Wheelchair Championship this season.
Matthew Turner (Wigan Warriors/North Wales Crusaders) – 2 caps, debut: 23 May 2026
Matthew Turner has made a rapid start to his international career and will now experience a World Cup alongside his father Martin. Since moving from North Wales Crusaders to Wigan Warriors, he has become one of the stars of Super League, where his 43 tries in 14 games saw him finish in the top five try scorers in that competition. He will turn 17 years old on the day of the Wales v Ireland match.
Mark Williams (Wigan Warriors/South Wales Jets) – 42 caps, debut: 13 September 2014
Mark Williams could be Wales’ most capped player by the end of this World Cup campaign, bringing 42 internationals and more than a decade of experience to the squad. He started this season by helping South Wales Jets to win the WRL League before going all the way to the semi-finals of both the Challenge Cup and Super League with Wigan Warriors.
Stuart Williams (Edinburgh Giants/North Wales Crusaders) – 36 caps, debut: 30 April 2016
Another of Wales’ most experienced internationals, Stuart Williams brings 36 caps and a Welsh record 73 tries to Caron’s side. Stuart plays for Crusaders in the Welsh League and Edinburgh in the Wheelchair Super League, where he helped his side to fifth place in the table this season.
Useful links
Wales Wheelchair all-time player list – https://rugbyleague.wales/wheelchair-player-records
Wales Wheelchair all-time international results list – https://rugbyleague.wales/wales-wheelchair-records
Squad information – https://rugbyleague.wales/wheelchair-squad
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