Iestyn Harris has singled out Bridgend-born Ben Evans and his twin brother Rhys for special praise ahead of Wales’ World Cup opener against Italy a week on Saturday.

Evans spent the past year with the Bulls on a season-long loan from Warrington and has been named in Harris’ squad, along with his sibling.

Wales warmed up for the tournament with a comfortable 62-12 victory over a Welsh Select XIII at Colwyn Bay’s Eirias Park on Tuesday evening.

The Evans twins featured, and Wales coach Harris said: “Ben was with us last year and he always gives you 100 per cent, so you can’t ask for more than that.

“Rhys gives us some pace in the backs and a little bit of movement that we perhaps didn’t have before.

“He’s settled into the team extremely well and I thought he looked really sharp against the Select.”

Former Bull Harris believes he has the talent at his disposal to make an impact in the World Cup.

The Colwyn Bay match was their only hit-out ahead of their World Cup opener against Italy, and Harris will be able to call on Wigan’s Grand Final-winning forwards Ben Flower and Gil Dudson against Italy after they were rested on Tuesday night.

“It has been a good week for us,” Harris said. “We’ve hit a fair bit of intensity in training.

“We had some sore bodies going into the game, which is what we wanted.

“I’m happy with the squad at the moment. Some of the guys are a little dusty as they haven’t played for four to five weeks so it was important for them to get this hit-out.

“We perhaps weren’t at our slickest but we’ve got Ben, Gil, Larne Patrick and Ian Webster to put into the mix, and potentially Tyson Frizell when he comes over.”