Former Wales international Lloyd White, has been appointed as Head Coach of the Wales ‘A’ side who will take on UK Armed Forces at The Gnoll in Neath on Saturday 25th October, a curtain raiser to the senior men’s match against Ireland.
White won 15 caps for the senior side during a career that saw him lift the European Cup in 2009 and 2010, play in the 2011 Four Nations and the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, both in England and Wales, and in the World Cup Nines in Sydney in 2019.
He made over 200 senior professional club appearances in his career, including 150 in Super League. He started out at Celtic Crusaders, and also had spells at South Wales Scorpions, Widnes Vikings, Toulouse Olympique XII and Mackay Cutters. He is now the joint head coach at South Wales Jets, whom he has helped lead to three consecutive JES Group Conference Grand Finals, winning the first in 2023.
White will be assisted by Dean Scully, head coach of back-to-back JES Group Conference Champions, Aberavon Fighting Irish. Scully, also formerly of Celtic Crusaders, has been capped by Wales Dragonhearts, the side that represents the community game in Wales. He has also coached West Wales in the past, and been an assistant coach at the Dragonhearts.
The Wales ‘A’ squad includes several youngsters at professional clubs; some of the best players from Wales’ JES Rugby League Conference; and players who have impressed in other Wales representative teams in 2025. They will train alongside the first team in preparation to face the UK Armed Forces.
“I’m really pleased to be part of the new Wales setup,” White said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been involved, so it’s great to be back, reconnecting with some familiar faces and meeting new ones as well.
“The aim now is to help bridge the gap between the senior side and the young players turning out for professional club academy and reserves sides, as well as those players who might not quite be ready to step up just yet. For me, it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn from the experienced players in the Wales squad while also creating a clearer pathway for younger talent.”
Director of Performance, Clive Griffiths, added: “I am absolutely delighted to see Lloyd progress from his outstanding playing career into one of the most important coaching roles within our pathway. Our newly formed ‘A’ team.
“He thoroughly deserves this opportunity, and it seems fitting that the man I selected for his first Wales Students International jersey back in 2008, has developed into one of our leading senior coaches and form part of the new coaching panel responsible for developing the next generation of rugby league players in Wales.
“I am also delighted Dean will assist Lloyd with coaching the ‘A’ team.
“Dean has already shown his worth, helping to form a formidable team down at Aberavon. His continued Grand Final success with the Fighting Irish has shown what a talented coach he is.
“I’m sure that both Dean and Lloyd will get the best out of the young players within our A team set up so that they are ready for the next step up.”
White has named his 19-man squad for The Gnoll, where just five of the players are yet to turn out for Wales at any level. The remaining 14 have all turned out for Wales U16, U18 or Students in the past.
Jay Baker, who at 34 years old will be the most senior member of this side. An experienced rugby union player, having turned out for Ospreys, Aberavon and Merthyr, he was very successful this year in his first season in rugby league, scoring eight tries throughout the season, as he helped Aberavon Fighting Irish to win the JES Rugby League Conference Grand Final.
The other four newcomers to international rugby league are North Wales Crusaders’ Paddy Jones, St Helens’ Oliver Garmston, Wakefield Trinity’s Dan Hetherington and Salford’s John Hutchings.
White adds: “In the past, I think we’ve lost players who perhaps didn’t have this type of opportunity, so hopefully this setup will allow them to gain valuable experience, develop their game, and be ready to take that step up when the time comes.
“I’m really excited to play a part in that journey, to see these players progress, and ultimately earn their senior caps in the future.”
Wales Senior Men’s A side
Jay Baker* – Aberavon Fighting Irish
George Birch – Newcastle Thunder
Oliver Garmston* – St Helens
Alex Green – Salford Red Devils/Bridgend Blue Bulls
Llewelyn Hawkes – Bridgend Blue Bulls
Dan Hetherington* – Wakefield Trinity
John Hutchings* – Salford Red Devils
Lewis Ingram – Bridgend Blue Bulls
Jamie Jenkins – North Wales Crusaders/South Wales Jets
Paddy Jones* – North Wales Crusaders
Dafydd Morgan – Bradford Bulls
Isaac Morgan – Aberavon Fighting Irish
Matthew Morgan – South Wales Jets
Charlie Newton – Huddersfield Giants
Henry Parker – Leigh Leopards/South Wales Jets
Mason Phillips – Thatto Heath Crusaders
Jacob Purcell – South Wales Jets
Charlie Thomas – Hull FC
Finlay Walker – Salford Red Devils
*Uncapped at any level
Tickets are on sale for the double header on Saturday 25th October at wrl.wales/tickets with the option of pre-match hospitality with former Wales legends Scott Quinnell and Dai Young.
