Ireland's World Cup campaign

Mr.Nice Guy

The 40 man squad for October's qualifiers for the 2017 World Cup has been announced:

Ireland Rugby League has named a strong looking train-on squad for their 2017 Rugby League World Cup European Pool B Qualifiers against Russia and Spain in October.

Included in Mark Aston’s initial 40-man party are 10 Super League players, including Wigan youngster Jack Higginson for the first time and a trio that have helped lift the League Leaders’ Shield with Warrington, brothers George and Toby King and Joe Philbin.

Veteran Stuart Littler has been included in what would be his rugby league swansong and there are 15 players from the domestic competition including Conor Mackey and Alan McMahon from champions Galway Tribesmen.

RL Ireland director Richard Egan commented: “Having been a part of the World Cup since 2000, RLI knows what a great spectacle the tournament is and what a fantastic experience it is for the players and squad members. We hope that qualification in 2017 will increase exposure in Ireland and further engagement by the local media to help us continue the development we have been working so hard to achieve.”

IRELAND 40-MAN TRAIN-ON SQUAD
Onisi Burekama, Gareth Gill, Paddy James, Connor Phillips (Ballynahinch Rabbitohs), Adam Boyce, Sam Boyd, Chris Hall, Matt McKelvey (Belfast Met Scholars), Joe Keyes (Bradford Bulls), Haydn Peacock (Carcassonne), Rob Armstrong (Cork Bulls), James Kelly, Mikey Russell (Dublin City Exiles), Colton Roche (Featherstone Rovers), Conor Mackey, Alan McMahon (Galway Tribesmen), Luke Ambler (Halifax), Scott Grix, Gene Ormsby, Oliver Roberts (Huddersfield Giants), Matthew Cahoon, Jordan Hyltan (Ireland Students), Bob Beswick, Greg McNally (Leigh Centurions), Casey Dunne, Wayne Kerr (Longhorns RL), Will Hope, Michael Ward (Oldham Roughyeds), James Hasson (Parramatta Eels), Adam Docherty (Portadown Pumas), Danny Bridge (Redcliffe Dolphins), Gareth O’Brien (Salford Red Devils), Shannon McDonnell (St Helens), Stuart Littler (Swinton Lions), Liam Finn (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), George King, Toby King, Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves), Dave Allen (Whitehaven), Jack Higginson (Wigan Warriors), Matty Hadden (Rochdale Hornets).

http://www.rli.ie/article/14808/world-cup-qualifiers-40-man

I was hoping for a few more NRL players. James Hasson is there at least. Any thoughts on the squad? Does anyone know much about the domestic players?

Here's Ireland's qualifying group:

Group B

Russia
Ireland
Spain


Russia v Spain, October 15th, Moscow.
Spain vs Ireland, October 22nd, Valencia.
Ireland vs Russia, October 29th, Carlisle Grounds, Bray.

The winner of the group qualifies automatically with the runner-up playing the runner-up of Group A in a play-off: either Wales, Serbia or Italy.

Ireland will face Malta this Saturday in a warm-up game, and then will play Jamaica the week after (on Sunday) before travelling for the Spain game.

Only 5 euro for adults to watch the home games and children under 16, students and OAP's are free entry when accompanyng an adult. Tickets are available at the gate or you can purchase them beforehand (the RLI website has the details).

Looks like very good value for some important games. Hopefully they will get a good turnout for the home qualifier especially. I'd love this to be covered by the national media though I wouldn't hold my breath.

Hope to see Ireland do the business.

Mr.Nice Guy

Ireland beat Malta 58-10 in their first warm-up game. Next up it's a friendly game with Jamaica next week.

Mr.Nice Guy

Russia beat Spain 40-6 today in Moscow to go top of the group. It means Spain need to beat Ireland next week in Valencia to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Ireland face Jamaica tomorrow in the last warm-up friendly.

Mr.Nice Guy

Ireland got hammered 68-16 by Jamaica in Bray today.

This was Jamaica's biggest win and their largest winning margin, as well as most tries scored in a game. They are currently ranked 27th in the world rankings with Ireland 6th, so it's a shock.

It does appear however that Ireland fielded a domestic side, whereas Jamaica had more experienced players on show. I expect when it comes to the qualifiers Ireland's experienced pros will come back into the side.

Still, not ideal ahead of the game with Spain next week. Let's hope for a win in Valencia which would nicely set up the game with Russia in Bray at the end of the month.

Mr.Nice Guy

Youtube will be live streaming Ireland's World Cup qualifier away to Spain tomorrow in Valencia. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 noon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4DNY3Q9dNs

Mr.Nice Guy

Ireland beat Spain 46-6 in the qualifier in Valencia today meaning Spain can no longer reach the World Cup. It also means Ireland only need a draw next Saturday in Bray against Russia to qualify for next year's tournament.

Ireland got a very early try and were pretty comfortable after that. The result was never in doubt. There was a nice moment though when Spain got their try and got a big response from the crowd.

I was also amused at the start of the game by the fact there was no loudspeaker system in the ground and so the Irish players had to sing Ireland's Call a capella. I was particularly interested to see what the Spanish players would do since their anthem has no words - would they just hum the tune? But they just decided to disregard the whole thing and get on with the game. :cool:

Mr.Nice Guy

Ireland have qualified for the World Cup!


It was a terrific win today in Bray: 70-16.

Wales also qualified today by beating Italy and so Russia will have to face Italy next week in a play-off to make next year's tournament Down Under.

The Lost Sheep

Great to see them qualify. Would there be any(many) other pros who may play in the world cup now we're qualified?

Mr.Nice Guy

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Great to see them qualify. Would there be any(many) other pros who may play in the world cup now we're qualified?

I reckon we might get one or two NRL pros to get involved. Rory Kostjasyn, formerly of the North Queensland Cowboys and now with the Newcastle Knights, was involved in Ireland's last World Cup and those were his only caps. I can see him being approached to come back for this tournament, which he may do since it's in his neck of the woods.