A NUMBER of local figures will form the backbone of the Welsh team, which is heading to France for the 2019 Golden Shears world shearing and woolhandling championships.

The seven-strong team will soon be heading to Le Dorat to compete in the event.

In the team will be machine shearers Richard Jones, from Corwen, and Alun Lloyd-Jones, from Llangollen.

This international competition sees teams travelling from across the northern and southern hemispheres to compete for the ultimate world championship titles.

The first Golden Shears world championships was held in 1977 and the competition is now a showcase for both quality and excellence in the skilful art of shearing and woolhandling.

The contest, held approximately every two to three years, was last held in Invercargill, New Zealand in 2017.

The experienced Welsh team will be competing for world individual and team championship titles against countries such as New Zealand, England, Australia, France, Germany, Northern Ireland, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and the United States.

The championships are being held from July 4-7, just two weeks before the competitors will be back on home-turf competing at the 100th Royal Welsh Show.

For Richard Jones, this is the third time he will represent Wales in the world championships, having competed in 2014 in Ireland and 2012 in New Zealand.

A four-time winner and the current holder of the champion shearer of Wales title, Richard has represented Wales on many occasions in test matches and Six Nations Championships.

This will be the first time Alun Lloyd-Jones has represented Wales in a world championships.

Alun has progressed through the development team set-up and he came second to Richard in the Welsh open circuit to qualify for the Welsh team.

He has represented Wales in several test matches.

“We have a very strong Welsh team heading out to France for the 2019 Golden Shears world shearing and woolhandling championships and we wish them every success in their bid to bring home the championship titles.” said team manager Rhydwyn Price.

“July is a busy month for our team and although they are entirely focused on the competitions in France, we are all immensely looking forward to competing, once again, at the Royal Welsh Show later in the month.”

The Welsh team is indebted to their sponsors for all their continued loyalty and support.

These include BISCA, British Wool, Caleb Roberts Insurance Services Ltd, J & S Pughe Sheep Shearing Trailers, KiwiKit Ltd, Lister, Mid Wales Egg Packing Ltd and Randall Parker Foods.