POOL A - MATCH 1

The Serbian rugby league squad has arrived in Wales ahead of the biggest match in their history. Reformed 16 years ago after the sport was originally introduced in the former Yugoslavia in the 1960s before being banned, the visitors are looking to qualify for their first World Cup.

In contrast, Wales coach John Kear is aiming to become the first to take three different national sides to the peak of international competition, having previously led England and France. Widnes Vikings pair Gil Dudson and Lloyd White return to bolster the current European Champions, although Ben Flower and Rhys Evans - after playing in last weekend’s Super League Grand Final - are not available for the match at Parc Stebonheath, Llanelli tomorrow (Saturday), which will be featured live on S4C (kick off 3pm).

“We will be challenged physically by Serbia, especially upfront, but we’ve got to be live to that,” said Kear from the Wales training camp, the squad having got together a fortnight ago in preparation. At the end of a long season there’s bound to be bumps and bruises to some players but I’m really pleased with the group we’ve got here for this campaign and the quality.”

Kear added: “In 2014, we played with mainly lower league players who were improving all the time. Last year, we had the likes of Phil Joseph and Craig Kopczak back in, which made such a difference. We’re lucky to have Gil Dudson and Lloyd White in the squad this time around and you can just tell there’s that air of composure and confidence within the group with these guys involved. The camp has been hugely positive and, hopefully, we can develop as a team.”

Wales will wear the logo of the NSPCC on their jerseys to commemorate 30 years of Childline being set up in the country. Calvin Wellington has pulled out fo the squad with a hamstring injury and has been replaced with South Wales wing Dai Evans.

This will be the second time the nations have met, the previous occasion in 2009 when Wales won 88-8 in Smederevo in the European Cup, Christiaan Roets with a hat-trick and Rhys Williams scoring two of their tries that day with both in-line to play in the return, as will Elliott Kear.

Serbian star centre Stevan Stevanović, one of four Dorćol players in the current squad, was also on duty, whilst the visitors are looking forward to young Wests Tigers prop Jordan Grant, voted their NSW Cup player of the year in 2016, making his debut.

“We are very satisfied with our training camp this past week,” said Serbian head coach Ljubomir Bukvic. “Apart from injured Vladica Nikolic we have full squad available and the players are really motivated to represent their country. We are aware what a quality side Wales are but this is an historic opportunity for us and we will try to make most of it.”

Experienced Serbian captain Dalibor Vukanović added: “We are very excited for the game against such a great opponent. Some of the Wales players we watch regularly in Super League, so to be able to play them will feel a bit surreal.”

Pictured: Christian Roets scored a hat-trick against Serbia in the 2009 European Cup.

WALES 19-MAN SQUAD
Phil Joseph (vice captain, Bradford Bulls) Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (London Broncos), Andrew Gay (Mackay Cutters), Joe Burke (Oldham), Craig Kopczak (captain, Salford Red Devils), Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), Oliver Olds (South Logan Magpies), Courtney Davies, Morgan Evans, Steve Parry, Lewis Reece, Christiaan Roets (South Wales Ironmen), Regan Grace (St Helens), Jake Emmitt, Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), Anthony Walker (Wakefield Wildcats) Gil Dudson, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings).

SERBIA 19-MAN SQUAD
David Andjelić (Blacktown St Patrick's), Reece Grkinić (Cabramatta), Daniel Burke (Collegians), Jason Muranka (Dewsbury Rams), Dalibor Vukanović, Stefan Nedeljković, Dalibor Samardzic, Stevan Stevanović (Dorćol), Joshua Marjanović (Kawana Dolphins), Džavid Jašari (Partizan), Pero Madžarević (Radnički Nova Pazova), Miloš Ćalić, Miloš Zogović, Vladislav Dedić, Vojislav Dedić (Red Star Belgrade), Chad Grant (St Clair Comets), James Mirceski (Western Suburbs Magpies), Jordan Grant (Wests Tigers), Ilija Radan (unaffiliated)