BEN EVANS has been included in the Wales rugby league squad for the autumn internationals.

North Wales Crusader Evans takes his place in John Kear’s 26-player squad, led by captain Elliot Kear. Kear will select an 18-player squad to face Jamaica in Neath, on October 15, with 20 players travelling to France for the European World Cup qualifiers that begin against Serbia in Carcassonne on October 22. Should Wales beat Serbia, they will face the winners of France and Ukraine on October 26 in Perpignan for a place in the 2025 World Series, where the final places for the 2026 World Cup will be decided.

“We’re excited by the three matches that await us,” said Kear.

“It’s fantastic that we will be back playing in Wales after so long away, before the opportunity to take a step closer to the next World Cup. We have a mix of experienced heads and those who will be eager to make their mark on the international stage.”

Squad: Bailey Antrobus (York), Harry Boots (Cornwall), Sam Bowring (Midlands), Mike Butt (Widnes), Max Clarke (Barrow), Joe Coope-Franklin (Salford), Connor Davies (Halifax), Curtis Davies (Dewsbury), Gil Dudson (Salford - on loan), Will Evans (Whitehaven), Ben Evans (Crusaders), Jude Ferreira (Hunslet), Matty Fozard (Widnes), Charlie Glover (Salford), Elliot Kear (Batley), Ben Lane (St Helens), Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes), Josh Ralph (St George Illawarra Dragons), Owen Restall (Dewsbury), Luis Roberts, Ashton Robinson (both Leeds), Matt Ross (Cornwall), Anthony Walker (Swinton), Billy Walkley (Keighley), Rhys Williams (Swinton), Huw Worthington (Whitehaven).