Bluck chases fourth-sport honour as Wales name first World Cup squad

Hannah Bluck is in line to represent Wales in a fourth different sport after winning selection for the Rugby League World Cup in October.

Head coach Tom Brindle named his 23-player squad on 28 September for Wales women's first appearance at the tournament, which will be staged in Australia, according to BBC Sport. It is new ground. Wales have never played at a women's Rugby League World Cup before, as noted by Wales Rugby League.

Bluck's story leads the list. She has already won senior Wales honours in rugby union, the 15-a-side code with contested scrums, lineouts and rucks, and gained junior recognition in football and basketball. A first league cap in Australia would complete a rare set across four sports.

League will feel familiar but different. It is played with 13 players a side. Teams get six tackles, or chances to be stopped, to move the ball before they must hand it over. Field position and finishing sets cleanly matter more than winning the ball back at the breakdown.

Wales face a tough start. They will meet England, Samoa and hosts Australia in their pool games. Three games, no easy minutes. The top sides go through to the knockout rounds.

Wigan Warriors forward Bethan Dainton will captain the side. Brindle has built much of the squad around home talent. Nine players come from Cardiff Demons, the Welsh domestic champions.

Bluck is one of six uncapped players, meaning yet to play a senior international in league for Wales. Cardiff Demons youngster Erin Williams is also in that group. So is Paige Travis of St Helens, who previously played for England and now seeks a first Wales cap.

Former Wales union international Ffion Lewis is included too. She knows Test rugby. Her switch adds experience to a squad heading into unknown territory.

There is help from further afield. Canterbury Bulldogs skipper Tayla Preston is called up, along with North Queensland winger Sian Williams. Warrington Wolves winger Hollie Brussels also makes it. Forward Agnes Wood earns her place after helping York Valkyrie win the Super League Grand Final, league's annual title decider.

What makes this stand out is the mix. Domestic players, Super League regulars and NRL names in one group. For fans, this means a first chance to see where Wales sit on the world stage.