Welch debut on the cards at Castleford

2:00pm Friday 22nd August 2008

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AMERICAN-born winger or centre Taylor Welch is in Wolves’ 19-man squad to tackle Castleford Tigers at The Jungle on Sunday at 7.30pm.

The 18-year-old from Austin, Texas, is in line for his Super League debut with Wolves having an injury concern to right winger Chris Riley, who suffered concussion in the weekend’s defeat to Hull KR and needs to pass a head test in order to play.

Paul Rauhihi, who collected a groin injury against the Robins, will not take part, leaving the way open for a likely return for Andy Bracek.

But Welch’s potential selection will create most interest among Wolves fans, who have seen up to seven of the club’s Academy products in a match in recent months and will be keen to see what the former Crosfields junior and Lymm High School pupil can offer the side.

Welch, who joined Warrington’s Academy set-up two years ago, has had a strong year in Richard Marsall’s reserves team.

He was raised in States by his American mother and father but, after his mother died, his father remarried an English woman and the family moved to live in the UK in 2003.

Welch, who will wear squad number 28 on his jersey if selected on Sunday, was scouted by Wolves after he began playing rugby union at Lymm High School.

Wolves’ 19-man squad: Chris Hicks, Martin Gleeson, Matt King, Kevin Penny, Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan, Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke, Ben Westwood, Rob Parker, Paul Wood, Simon Grix, Chris Riley, Andrew Bracek, Ben Harrison, Mike Cooper, Lee Mitchell, Matty Blythe, Taylor Welch.