THERE is Warrington interest in the Wales rugby league elite train-on squad for 2019 and 2020 named by head coach John Kear.

Among them is a 17-year-old on Warrington Wolves' books.

Lewis Hall, a six-foot centre, full-back or winger who played junior rugby at Crosfields, features in a 35-man squad that Kear will call on for selecting a squad to compete in the 9s World Cup this autumn and next year's European Championship.

Hall, uncapped at senior level, was a member of the Wales squad that competed in last year's Rugby League Under 19s European Championships in Serbia.

He has company in the 35 from other players hailing from Warrington, namely Jake Emmitt (Leigh Centurions) and Gavin Bennion (Swinton Lions).

Powerful forward Bennion is a former Wire player, as are fellow selections Rhys Evans (Bradford Bulls), Ben Evans (Toulouse Olympique) and Rhys Williams (London Broncos).

Since leaving The Wire Williams has gone on to become Wales' leading try-scorer of all time and joint-leading cap holder.

The squad includes seven current Super League stars in total, who all came through Wales Rugby League’s elite player pathway programme including St Helens’ Regan Grace and Morgan Knowles.

London Broncos’ Elliot Kear has been reappointed as captain.

Wales, who qualified for the 2021 World Cup last autumn, will travel to Sydney to take part in the 9s World Cup at Parramatta Eels’ Bankwest Stadium on October 18 and 19.

The final squad will be announced closer to the time of the tournament.

Kear’s men will then return to full, 13-a-side internationals in 2020 as they compete with France, Ireland and Scotland for the European Championship.

“We had a really positive international campaign last year and it was great to see a young, hungry Welsh side performing well,” Kear said.

“It’s really important that we spend time together and continue to develop so that’s the reason we’ve formed this elite group.

“As well as meeting up each autumn for international fixtures, we’re going to be spending a lot more time with each other as a group for team-building exercises.

“We already have a number of players who are performing well at the top level, but we have plenty of talent and potential throughout the squad.

“I’m really excited to see how this talented squad develops over the next couple of years as we build towards the 2021 World Cup.”

Wales’ 35-man elite train-on squad: Rhys Evans, Dalton Grant, Cobi Green (all Bradford Bulls), Josh Ralph (Easts Tigers), Chester Bulter, Connor Davies, Curtis Davies, Dan Fleming, Sion Jones (all Halifax), Jake Emmitt (Leigh Centurions), Matty Fozard, Elliot Kear, Rhys Williams (all London Broncos), Lloyd White (Mackay Cutters), Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders), Caleb Aekins (Penrith Panthers), Gil Dudson, Luis Roberts (Salford Red Devils), Regan Grace, Morgan Knowles (both St Helens), Gavin Bennion, Mike Butt, Rhodri Lloyd, Ben Morris (all Swinton Lions), Ben Evans (Toulouse Olympique), Courtney Davies, Elliott Jenkins, Ollie Olds (all unattached), Lewis Hall (Warrington Wolves), James Olds (West Brisbane Panthers), Morgan Evans, Matthew Morgan, Steve Parry, Liam Rice-Wilson (all West Wales Raiders), Ben Flower (Wigan Warriors).