MAKING the decision to switch rugby codes has paid off for a Llannon youngster who received an international call up this week.

Josh Davies, 21, was named in the 22-man Wales squad that will compete at the Student Rugby League World Cup in Leeds.

The former Maes yr Yrfa pupil was a member of the 2008-10 Coleg Sir Gar team that went two years unbeaten, but second row Josh decided to switch codes when he went to UWIC to study Sports and Physical Education.

The call up comes after two successful seasons with UWIC’s league team who won their league and finished sixth in the UK, losing only two games.

Josh said: “I find rugby league better suits my game.

It’s more physical and a quicker game.

“A lot of the other players in the Welsh squad already have clubs and are playing professionally or semi-professionally.

“That is my aim from this World Cup, to secure a contract.”

Wales’ chances of bringing the cup home are strong after winning the home nations last year and have been drawn in the same group as England, Ireland and South Africa when the tournament kicks off on July 4.

Josh said: “We are ranked fourth in the world and we are going to the World Cup with the sole aim of winning it. We have shown that we can beat the northern hemisphere teams, now it’s a case of testing our skills against the southern teams.

“To be able to pull on the Welsh jersey and run onto the pitch is a dream come true and something I have wanted to do since I started playing rugby at the age of seven. I can’t put into words how honoured I feel.”

Josh is training with the newly-formed Gwendraeth Valley Raiders before he prepares to meet up with the Welsh team in St Helens later this month.

As the student rugby league World Cup is amateur, Josh needs to raise £600 to take part and is looking for sponsorship to pay registration costs, accommodation and for kit.

Contact Joshua_p_davies @hotmail.com