YORK Knights fan favourite Bailey Antrobus has been named in the Wales squad for their upcoming Autumn internationals against Jamaica, Serbia and either France or Ukraine.

Despite having been born in Australia, the 24-year-old qualifies to represent Wales through his father and grandfather and has earned five caps for his country since making his debut in June 2022.

Three of those came in the World Cup later that year, where he caught the eye of Betfred Super League heavyweights Leeds Rhinos and earned himself an inclusion in the Wales Team of the Year.

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Antrobus will hope to announce himself back on the international stage this Autumn following a long-term ACL injury that had kept him sidelined for just over a year before his return in the Knights’ 54-12 rout of Dewsbury Rams last month.

John Kear’s side will take on Jamaica in Neath on October 15 before travelling to France for the European World Cup qualifiers, which will begin against Serbia on October 22.

Should Wales beat Serbia, they will face either France or Ukraine on October 26 in Perpignan for a place in the 2025 World Series, with a hope of selection for the 2026 World Cup.

However, if they lose to Serbia then their World Cup hopes will be over, and they will face the losers of the France-Ukraine match.

Antrobus has amassed five Wales caps after making his debut in June 2022.Antrobus has amassed five Wales caps after making his debut in June 2022. (Image: Dave Gibson Photography)  “We’re excited by the three matches that await us,” Kear enthused.

“It’s fantastic that we will be back playing in Wales after so long away, before the opportunity to take a step closer to the next World Cup. We have a mix of experienced heads and those who will be eager to make their mark on the international stage.

“A number of those players impressed us in the Chairman’s XIII fixture last season, and I’m sure that experience will have whetted the appetite even further for a first senior cap.”

Led by captain, Batley Bulldogs’ Elliot Kear, the Wales squad includes 12 uncapped players, including Hunslet centre Jude Ferreira, who has been linked with a move to the Knights for 2025.

The former Hull FC and London Broncos youngster has been an ever-present for the Betfred League One side this season, scoring 21 tries, including four in May’s 26-18 victory at Keighley Cougars.

WALES SQUAD: Bailey Antrobus (York Knights), Harry Boots (Cornwall), Sam Bowring (Midlands Hurricanes), Mike Butt (Widnes Vikings), Max Clarke (Barrow Raiders), Joe Coope-Franklin (Salford Red Devils), Connor Davies (Halifax Panthers), Curtis Davies (Dewsbury Rams), Gil Dudson (Salford Red Devils - on loan), Will Evans (Whitehaven), Ben Evans (North Wales Crusaders), Jude Ferreira (Hunslet RLFC), Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings), Charlie Glover (Salford Red Devils), Elliot Kear (captain, Batley Bulldogs), Ben Lane (St. Helens), Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes Vikings), Josh Ralph (St. George Illawarra Dragons), Owen Restall (Dewsbury Rams), Luis Roberts, Ashton Robinson (both Leeds Rhinos), Matt Ross (Cornwall), Anthony Walker (Swinton Lions), Billy Walkley (Keighley Cougars), Rhys Williams (Swinton Lions), Huw Worthington (Whitehaven).