JODIE BOYD-WARD will captain Wales in what could be a record-breaking World Cup in Australia for the Leeds Rhinos stalwart.
Boyd-Ward has now represented three different nations in three successive World Cups – Ireland in 2013, England in 2017 and, after debuting in the Celtic Cup in 2021, for Wales in the 2022 World Cup.
She will hit the international half-century for caps if she turns out three times for the Welsh down under, becoming the first wheelchair player to achieve the feat.
She said: “This was totally unexpected. You never take anything for granted, and the fact that I got asked to be captain means a lot to me.
“We’ve got such a mix of players from different backgrounds and different competitions within the sport, and I think each person brings something different.
“I want us to go out there and do what we do best. I want us to be that team that we’ve worked so hard over the last few years to be and go out and win things.”
She reflected on her imminent 50-cap milestone: “It’s potentially the USA game (on November 6), which I think is even nicer because they’re some of our favourite people. It’ll be even better to have that game and get my 50th international cap with friends.”
Wales will open against world champions England on Friday, October 30, with Ireland following on November 3.
Edinburgh Giants player Stuart Williams, who captained the Welsh in the last World Cup and is this time vice-captain, is their record international try-scorer with 73 touchdowns from his 36 caps.
He said of his return: “It feels great. Generally, it’s an honour just to have that title of captain in there. Vice-captain is just as important.
“England is going to be an interesting match for us. We’re looking to improve on what we had in the semi-final against them at the last World Cup.
“Ireland could be our do-or-die game to see whether we can get into the semis. I think we had a really good Celtic Cup against them, so I’m hoping we’ll get a win.”
