Cougars winger Walkley set for Wales debut in vital World Cup qualifiers

He has been brought into the Wales fold by John Kear and could make his debut for the country next month.

They are travelling to France for Rugby League World Cup qualifying, where they will play in a four-team knockout tournament.

Wales will face Serbia in a semi-final in Carcassonne on Tuesday, October 22, and if they win that, they will play France or Ukraine in the final on Saturday, October 26.

The winner of that mini-tournament will qualify for the 2025 World Series, and if that is Wales, Walkley will be hoping to get another international call next year.

The World Series will feature the winners of next month’s European tournament in France, alongside Jamaica, the Cook Islands and South Africa.

The winners and runners-up in the World Series will both qualify for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

In an amazing week for Walkley, he is celebrating more than just his international selection.

He won the Rising Star of the Year at Keighley’s end of season awards ceremony last night at Cougar Park, a fitting reward for a season where he has played every minute so far, scoring 20 tries in Betfred League 1.

Prop Jordan Schofield was named Young Player of the Year, while skipper and back rower Ellis Robson won the coveted Players’ Player of the Year.

Ellis Robson (centre) always has the back of his team-mates, and they have recognised that by naming him as their Player of the Year for 2024. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Veteran centre Junior Sa’u was at the double, as he claimed both the Coaches’ Player of the Year and the Fans’ Player of the Year awards.

There was a celebratory mood at the awards ceremony, after Keighley booked their place in the League 1 play-off final on October 6 by beating Rochdale Hornets 26-22 on Sunday at Cougar Park.

That means the men’s team are not in action this weekend, but the club’s women are, as they take on the GB Police team in a charity game at the Etihad Campus in Manchester.

The match is being held as part of a fundraiser for The Christie Charity, a Manchester-based organisation which supports the development of cancer prevention, treatment, research and education through investment in staff, equipment, facilities and other support services.