John Kear grateful for Wales return against France after over 1300 days out of action

Wales head coach John Kear says he’s relieved that his side are finally returning to action today after more than three years out of the game.

The Dragons take on France in Albi in a mid-season international. Kicking off at 2:30PM, it will be Wales’ first game since November 11, 2018.

On that occasion, they beat Ireland 40-8, a distant memory for Kear. The boss has been in charge of the national side since 2014.

“It has been an intensely frustrating period for us,” said Kear.

“We played in the World Cup in 2017, and then in 2018 we had a really good qualifying competition. We lost to France, but we beat Scotland & Ireland and came second, so that qualified us.

“We felt we were growing as a group, and we had great buy-in from players which is obviously essential as a tier-two nation. We were making progress but then we had two fallow years.

“It has been frustrating for everyone which was one of the reasons why I wanted to play this mid-season game. We are hoping to play a trial game prior to the World Cup and then we should be up to speed. There are some people who have jumped out of the woodwork for this game and I’m really looking forward to seeing them.”

Kear, 67, was appointed as head coach of Championship side Widnes earlier this month. He left his position at the helm of Bradford at the end of April. The Vikings are the ninth different club side which the Wales boss has headed up.

Also a former head coach of both England and France internationally, Kear is vastly experienced. Speaking prior to today’s game, he added, “We just need to play to practice everything.

“From the logistics, to getting kit out to the players, to getting the squad out on to the field, everything is important.

“[In the time we have been out of