Wales v Cook Islands

The Rugby League World Cup action continues with Wales taking on the Cook Islands in a men’s Group D fixture in Leigh.

Cook Islands have happy memories of facing Wales, as it was against them that the Pacific nation claimed their first World Cup win, a 28-24 victory on Welsh soil in 2013.

As the teams meet again for the first time since then, Wales head coach John Kear will be aiming to avoid a similar result – with games against Samoa and Papua New Guinea to come, a win in the opening match is imperative to maintaining Welsh hopes of reaching the knockout stages.