MONMOUTH'S Zak Williams will tune-up for South Wales Scorpions' upcoming season by playing for La Réole XIII in the south of France.

The 18-year-old hooker will head over to play in the French Elite 2 along with his teammate Ben Jones, an 18-year-old full-back from Bridgend.

The pair have only just joined the Scorpions' senior side following a successful rise through the South Wales junior ranks where they started at under 15 level.

They are Wales under-16 and under-18 internationals and helped the Dragons to bronze in the 2014 Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow before graduating from the Wales Rugby League AASE Academy late last year.

Williams and Jones will now continue their development at La Réole near Bordeaux for six games until they end their regular season on March 22, as well as any playoff games.

"I really cannot wait to get out there," said Williams. "Having this opportunity to go and fly the flag for WRL along with my friend Ben, in a sport that we have both worked so hard in, is a dream come true.

"I would like to thank all in the WRL who have supported me over the years striving to give me every best opportunity, and those close to me, who have endured all those miles to come and support and watch me play.

"A special thank you to my parents for all they have done especially my mum for all those evenings taking me back and forth to training whilst my dad was away serving in the military."

The pair will be back for the Scorpions' Kingstone Press League One campaign and coach Mike Grady is confident they will return as better players.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Ben and Zak to play competitive first team Rugby League for the next couple of months.

"I've played in France and the Rugby League there is very competitive at every level. They'll have a tough time and they'll come back better players for it which can only help the Scorpions and Rugby League in Wales. I wish them the very best."