Student World Cup kicks off this
weekend in Brisbane

While the Rugby Union Lions are attempting to save face in New Zealand, at the same time across the Tasman Sea in Brisbane, Wales' Student Rugby League side open their World Cup account against the Kiwis.

Wales have the best record out of all the home nations in this competition but know they must be better than their best in order to lift the trophy on July 16.

Wales coach Wayne Williams has yet to name his 17 and will most probably wait until the morning of the match to declare his team.

"It's a tough choice," said Williams. "The lads have all worked hard and raring to go. The problem really is who to leave out."

Wales have previously faced New Zealand three times in the Student World Cup but have never registered a victory against the current World Champions.

The closest they have got was in 1992 when a last minute try sunk the Welsh in the third place play-off in Sydney. The Dragons know that history will have to be made if they are to progress in this competition.

Wales Students squad:

Matt Jackson (UWIC /Cardiff Demons) Andrew Bond (UWIC / Cardiff Demons) Ben Smith (UWIC) Phil Carleton (UWIC / Aberavon Fighting Irish) Geraint Davies (Swansea University / Aberavon FI) Dean Scully (Brunel University / Aberavon FI) Pete Moore (Leeds Met / Sheffield Eagles) Neil Davies (UWIC / Aberavon FI) Dewi Scourfield (Cardiff University / Cardiff Demons) Denis Pugh (University of Glamorgan / Aberavon FI) Mark Dando (UWIC / Cardiff Demons) Matt Drew (UWIC / Cardiff Demons) Austin Saunders (Cardiff University / Cardiff Demons) Mark Burke (Swansea University / Aberavon FI) Dan Ap Dafydd (Brunel University / Aberavon FI)Gareth Morgan (UWIC / Cardiff Demons) Ross Olney (UWIC / Cardiff Demons) Jonathan Brinkworth (UWIC) Gareth Thirsk (Leeds Met / Leeds Akkies) Jason Massey (Swansea Institute / Aberavon FI) Neil Hesketh (Leeds Met / Leeds Akkies) Gavin Curry (UWIC). Coach: Wayne Williams. Assistants: Dave Roberson, Danny Sheehy. Team Manager: Rhodri Thomas. Press Officer: Ian Golden. Physio: Dyfri Evans.

Saturday 2 July 2005:

IRELAND vs PACIFIC ISLANDS (1300) AUSTRALIA vs SCOTLAND (1445) NEW ZEALAND vs WALES (1630) all at Griffith University Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Australia

Sunday 3 July:

ENGLAND vs FRANCE (1200) Venue: Suncorp Stadium (before Broncos v Sharks in the NRL)

Please note that all times are AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time). For British Summer Time, please delete nine hours.