IH in the hot seat

By Chris,
October 25 2009

After troubling England for nearly an hour, Iestyn Harris faces his first competitive game as Welsh boss on Sunday evening. The Welsh get their European Cup campaign underway at 2pm, with a crucial match in Serbia. A host of Crusaders will be in action.

Wales really must win in Serbia.

Ireland sealed a whopping 82-0 win last week against the Eastern Europeans, and the bookmakers have slapped a 52 point handicap on the contest. Iestyn Harris' men are thus massive favourites, but must live up to that tag with a victory that would set up a huge clash at Sardis Road next Sunday.

Injuries mean Harris has added five newcomers to his Wales squad, with Cru's Aussie-born forward Chris Beasley amongst the potential debutants.

Ashley Bateman, Neil Budworth, Geraint Davies, Gil Dudson, Ben Flower, Jordan James, Elliot Kear, Lewis Mills, Ross Wardle, Lloyd White and Lee Williams are other representatives of Brian Noble's squad with the travelling party.

Cru's Anthony Blackwood, who played against England last weekend, is carrying an injury but has been placed on the stand-by list.

Ireland ran over fourteen tries in their demolition of Serbia last weekend, watched by 485 supporters in Tullamore. However, Harris knows his men cannot be complacent as they face a daunting 2,000-mile journey across the continent.

"We're going into unknown territory. However, I do know Serbia will be physical but raw and we have to be smart."

Worryingly, the former Bradford man added: "Serbia lost 82-0 to Ireland on the weekend and I haven't been able to see the video of that game yet."

Come on Wales.

Serbia v. Wales – European Cup preview

Discussion started by CruXIII (IP Logged), 25/10/2009 01:35

CruXIII
25/10/2009 01:35

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swanseablue
27/10/2009 12:42

A very convincing win out in Smederevo , good to see alot of the young Crusaders boys like Kear and Bateman play well, you can only take on whats in front of you ,special mention to Christian Roets , the only amateur in the side who picked up the MOM award.

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