Ireland national rugby league team

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Ireland
Badge of Ireland team
Nickname Wolfhounds
Governing body Rugby League Ireland
Region Europe
Head coach Mark Aston
Captain Bob Beswick
Most caps Bob Beswick (23)
Top try-scorer Stuart Littler (10)
Top point-scorer Liam Finn (82)
Home stadium Carlisle Grounds
RLIF ranking 7th
Colours
First international
 United States 22–24 Ireland 
(Washington D.C., US; 17 March 1995)
Biggest win
 United States 6–64 Ireland 
(Dublin, Ireland; 10 May 2004)
Biggest defeat
 Russia 64–6 Ireland 
(Dublin, Ireland; 16 May 2004)
World Cup
Appearances 3 (first time in 2000)
Best result Quarter-finals 2000, 2008

The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represents the entire island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organised by Rugby League Ireland. The representative team is dominated by players from the European Super League and sometimes includes players from the Australasian National Rugby League. Ireland is also represented by an Ireland A side, which is made up of players from domestic Irish competitions.

Since Ireland began competing in international rugby league in 1995, it has participated in the 1995 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament, the 1996 Super League World Nines, and three Rugby League World Cups2000, 2008 and 2013. They have also competed in the Rugby League European Nations Cup and Victory Cup. Ireland A compete annually in the St Patrick's Day Challenge in the Amateur Four Nations.

Irish players have in the past been selected to play for the Great Britain side, one recent example being Cork-born Brian Carney. However, since the Great Britain team was split into individual nations in 2007, it is unlikely that this situation will arise again.

History[edit]

Flags and anthems[edit]

The Four Provinces Flag of Ireland
England v Ireland 2013 RLWC

The Irish rugby league team is one of many Irish teams that draws its players from across the island of Ireland, it utilises the Four Provinces Flag of Ireland and the anthem "Ireland's Call".

2000 World Cup[edit]

Further information: 2000 Rugby League World Cup

1997 saw more England-based Super League players making themselves available by use of the grandparent rule. The Irish team improved its standards but this development gave less opportunity for Irish-based players to get a chance to play. However, Irish-based players were included in the Irish squad for the triangular tournaments in 1998 against France and Scotland and 1999 against Scotland and Wales. Their success was enough to earn a place in the 2000 World Cup. Finishing top of their group, the Irish eventually lost 26–16 to England in the quarter-finals, but the performance set the scene for future developments in Ireland.

2008 World Cup[edit]

Ireland were drawn against Lebanon and Russia in Europe's 2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying Pool Two. Ireland topped the group with a 16–16 draw with Lebanon at Dewsbury on 2 November 2007. The draw meant Ireland qualified for the 2008 World Cup on points difference from Lebanon as both nations gained the same number of group points.

Ireland at the 2008 World Cup.

At the 2008 World Cup in Australia, Ireland were in Group C along with Tonga and Samoa. They lost to Tonga on 27 October in Parramatta, Sydney, but were victorious against Samoa, again in Parramatta, on 5 November and topped the group on points difference. As the group winners, they played Fiji, winners of Group B, for a chance to qualify for the semi-final. Fiji won 30–14 and so Ireland were eliminated.

2013 World Cup[edit]

For the 2013 World Cup being staged in England, Wales, France and Ireland. Ireland have been drawn in group A alongside Australia, England and 2008 World Cup rivals Fiji. Ireland have been granted automatic entry to the tournament due to their strong showing in the 2008 World Cup

Mark Aston the head coach and driving force behind the Sheffield Eagles as been confirmed as the head coach of Rugby League Ireland. His appointment was announced at a press conference in Sheffield on Tuesday 24 May 2011 and he is confirmed in the role for the World Cup in 2013.

Tournament History[edit]

The following tournaments is a list of notable international competitions that Ireland has been competing in since their existence in 1995. A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Ireland

World Cup[edit]

World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
United KingdomFranceRepublic of Ireland 2000 Quarter-finals 5/16 4 3 1 0
Australia 2008 Quarter-finals 5/10 3 1 2 0
EnglandFranceRepublic of IrelandWales 2013 Group stage 14/14 3 0 3 0
AustraliaNew Zealand 2017 To Be Determined
Total 0 Titles 3/13 10 4 6 0

Four Nations[edit]

Four Nations record
Year Round Position GP W L D
EnglandFrance 2009 Failed to Qualify
AustraliaNew Zealand 2010 Not Invited
EnglandWales 2011 Failed to Qualify
AustraliaNew Zealand 2014 Not Invited
EnglandScotland 2016 Failed to Qualify
Total 0 Titles 0/5 0 0 3 0

European Cup[edit]

European Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L D
2003 Group stage 5/6 2 1 1 0
2004 Second Place 2/6 3 2 1 0
FranceGeorgia (country)Republic of IrelandRussiaScotlandWales 2005 Group Stage 3/6 2 1 1 0
Republic of IrelandItalyLebanonScotlandSerbiaWales 2009 Group Stage 4/6 2 1 1 0
FranceRepublic of IrelandScotlandWales 2010 Group Stage 4/4 3 0 3 0
Republic of IrelandScotland 2012 Second Place 2/3 2 1 1 0
EnglandFranceRepublic of IrelandScotlandWales 2014 Group Stage 3/4 3 2 1 0
FranceRepublic of IrelandScotlandWales 2015 To Be Determined
Total 0 Titles 8/32 17 8 9 0

Current squad[edit]

The Ireland national team squad selected for the 2015 European Cup tournament.[1] (caps and points apply for before the tournament began):

Other Nat. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Pts Club
England Fullback Scott Grix (1984-05-01) 1 May 1984 (age 31) 11 12 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants
England Wing Callum Mulkeen 2 0 Oxfordcolours.png Oxford Rugby League
England Wing Casey Dunne 3 6 Ireland colours.svg Athboy Longhorns
England Centre Bradley Hargreaves (1993-12-13) 13 December 1993 (age 21) 1 12 Rochdale colours.svg Rochdale Hornets
England Centre James Mendeika (1991-12-16) 16 December 1991 (age 23) 6 0 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls
England Stand-off Liam Finn (1983-11-02) 2 November 1983 (age 31) 21 76 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers
England Halfback Ben Johnston (1992-03-08) 8 March 1992 (age 23) 2 0 Faxcolours.svg Halifax RLFC
England Halfback Gregg McNally (1991-01-02) 2 January 1991 (age 24) 8 30 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions
England Halfback Joe Keyes (1995-09-17) 17 September 1995 (age 20) 0 0 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos
Ireland Prop Matty Hadden (1990-06-07) 7 June 1990 (age 25) 5 0 Rochdale colours.svg Rochdale Hornets
England Prop Sean Hesketh (1986-08-17) 17 August 1986 (age 29) 7 16 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs
England Prop Luke Ambler (1989-12-18) 18 December 1989 (age 25) 15 16 Faxcolours.svg Halifax RLFC
England Prop Colton Roche (1993-06-23) 23 June 1993 (age 22) 2 0 Yorkcolours.svg York City Knights
Ireland Prop Gareth Gill 0 0 Northern Ireland Ballynahinch Rabbitohs
England Second-row Danny Bridge (1993-01-04) 4 January 1993 (age 22) 2 0 Rochdale colours.svg Rochdale Hornets
England Second-row Will Hope 3 4 Oldhamcolours.svg Oldham Roughyeds
England Second-row Elliot Cosgrove 7 0 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs
England Second-row Oliver Roberts (1995-12-24) 24 December 1995 (age 19) 0 0 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls
England Second-row Graham O’Keeffe 1 0 Oxfordcolours.png Oxford RLFC
England Second-row Dave Allen (1985-09-15) 15 September 1985 (age 30) 9 4 Haven colours.svg Whitehaven RLFC
England Lock Bob Beswick (Captain) (1984-12-08) 8 December 1984 (age 30) 22 12 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions

Notable players[edit]

Results[edit]

Official Rankings as of May 2015[2]
Rank Change Team Points
1 Increase  New Zealand 949.00
2 Decrease  Australia 941.00
3 Steady  England 485.00
4  Samoa 320.00
5  France 215.00
6  Fiji 196.00
7  Ireland 154.00
8  Scotland 123.00
9  Wales 122.00
10  United States 118.00
11  Papua New Guinea 113.00
12  Italy 79.00
13 Increase  Canada 49.00
14 Decrease  Serbia 47.00
15 Increase  Tonga 47.00
16 Decrease  Russia 45.00
17 Steady  Cook Islands 31.00
18 Decrease  Belgium 30.00
19  Germany 24.00
20 Increase  Lebanon 24.00
21 Decrease  Norway 22.00
22  Ukraine 21.00
23 Increase  Malta 20.00
24 Decrease  Greece 19.00
25 Steady  Netherlands 15.00
26 Increase  Spain 14.00
27 Decrease  Denmark 13.00
28 Increase  South Africa 12.00
29 Decrease  Jamaica 11.00
30 Decrease  Czech Republic 9.00
31  Sweden 7.00
32 Steady  Hungary 2.00
33 NEW  Niue 2.00
34 Decrease  Latvia 2.00
35 NEW  Philippines 2.00
36 Decrease  Morocco 0.00

Ireland has played in 38 full internationals, winning 18 and losing 17 with 3 draw. As it is not a full member of the Rugby League International Federation, these matches are not considered to be tests. Ireland has also played friendlies against USA, Scotland and Australia that are not included in these results.[3]

Tallaght Stadium Rugby League Ireland deafeat France in 2014 Rugby League European Championship

Overall record[edit]

Against Played Won Lost Drawn  % Won
 Belgium 1 1 0 0 100%
 Cook Islands 1 0 1 0 0%
 England 2 0 2 0 0%
 Fiji 1 0 1 0 0%
 France 6 1 4 1 16%
 Lebanon 3 0 1 2 0%
 Moldova 1 1 0 0 100%
 Morocco 1 1 0 0 100%
 Māori 1 1 0 0 100%
 United States 2 2 0 0 100%
 Russia 3 2 1 0 66%
 Samoa 2 2 0 0 100%
 Scotland 9 6 3 0 66%
 Serbia 1 1 0 0 100%
 Tonga 1 0 1 0 0%
 Wales 6 2 4 0 33%
Total 41 20 18 3 48.8%


  • Wales def. Ireland 30–6 (22 October 2010) Test match/Friendly international.
  • Scotland def. Ireland 26–6 (16 October 2011) Friendly International test match.
  • Ireland def. USA 26–8 (16 October 2011) Friendly International[4]
  • Scotland def. Ireland 42–22 (24 October 2010) 2010 European cup
  • Wales def. Ireland 31–30 (17 October 2010) 2010 European cup
  • France def. Ireland 58–24 (9 October 2010) 2010 European cup
  • Lebanon def. Ireland 40–16 (8 November 2009) 2009 European cup
  • Wales def. Ireland 42–12 (1 November 2009) 2009 European cup
  • Ireland def. Serbia 82–0 (18 October 2009) 2009 European cup
  • Fiji def. Ireland 30–14 (10 November 2008) 2008 Rugby league world cup quarter final
  • Ireland def. Samoa 34–16 (5 November 2008) 2008 Rugby league world cup group game
  • Tonga def. Ireland 22–20 (27 October 2008) 2008 Rugby league world cup group game
  • Ireland drew with Lebanon 16–16 (2 November 2007) Rugby league world cup qualifying
  • Ireland def. Russia 58–18 (20 October 2007) Rugby league world cup qualifying
  • Ireland drew with Lebanon 18–18 (5 November 2006) Rugby league world cup qualifying
  • Ireland def Russia 50–12 (22 October 2006) Rugby league world cup qualifying
  • Wales def. Ireland 31–10 (30 October 2005)
  • Ireland def. Scotland 12–6 (23 October 2005)
  • England A def. Ireland 36–12 (7 November 2004)
  • Ireland def. Scotland 43–10 (29 October 2004)
  • Ireland def. Wales 25–12 (17 October 2004)
  • Russia def. Ireland 64–6 (16 May 2004)
  • Ireland def. USA 74–16 (10 May 2004)
  • Ireland def. Scotland 24–22 (26 October 2004)
  • France def. Ireland 26–18 (11 January 2003)
  • France def. Ireland 56–16 (26 June 2001)
  • England def. Ireland 26–16 (11 November 2000) Quarter Final of 2000 World Cup
  • Ireland def. New Zealand Māori 30–16 (4 November 2000) 2000 World Cup
  • Ireland def. Scotland 18–6 (1 November 2000) 2000 World Cup
  • Ireland def. Samoa 30–16 (28 October 2000) 2000 World Cup
  • Ireland def. Scotland 31–10 (31 October 1999)
  • Ireland def. Wales 24–17 (15 October 1999)
  • Ireland def. Scotland 17–10 (18 November 1998)
  • France def. Ireland 24–22 (4 November 1998)
  • Ireland drew with France 30–30 (13 May 1997)
  • Cook Islands def. Ireland 10–6 (24 October 1995)
  • Ireland def. Morocco 42–6 (24 October 1995)
  • Ireland def. Moldova 48–26 (16 October 1995)
Brian Carney was instrumental in Ireland's plan before his switch to rugby union

Ireland A[edit]

Ireland Wolfhounds logo

The Ireland A team is selected from players in the Irish domestic competition. This team is administered by Rugby League Ireland. The 'A' team competes each year in the Amateur Four Nations with England A, Scotland A and Wales A.

  • England A def. Ireland A 44–12 (13 August 2010)
  • Scotland A def. Ireland A 10–6 (9 July 2010)
  • Wales A def. Ireland A 34–8 (12 June 2010)
  • Ireland A def. Wales A 28–26 (7 August 2009)
  • England A def. Ireland A 28–12 (10 July 2009)
  • Ireland A def Scotland A 30–22 (13 June 2009)
  • Ireland A def. England A 36–24 (6 September 2008)
  • Scotland A def. Ireland A 28–26 (26 July 2008)
  • Ireland A def. France A 40–14 (7 June 2008)
  • Ireland A def. Wales A 24–10 (19 August 2006)
  • Scotland A def. Ireland A 42–16 (14 August 2005)
  • Wales A def. Ireland A 18–10 (16 July 2005)
  • Ireland A def. England Amateur "Lionhearts" 28–8(3 July 2005)
  • Scotland A def. Ireland A 24–16 (22 August 2004)
  • USA def. Ireland A 41–10 (24 March 2004)
  • Scotland A def. Ireland A 48–20 (9 August 2003)
  • Ireland A def. Wales A 32–28 (21 June 2003)
  • USA def. Ireland A 20–16 (15 March 2003)
  • Ireland A def. Scotland A 70–10 (18 August 2003)
  • England Amateur "Lionhearts" def. Ireland A 32–10 (16 June 2002)
  • USA def. Ireland A 24–22 (16 March 2002)
  • Ireland A def. Scotland A 28–10 (11 September 2001)
  • USA def. Ireland A 19–6 (18 March 2000)
  • Scotland A def. Ireland A (August 1999)
  • Wales A def. Ireland A (August 1999)
  • Ireland A def. Scotland A 21–16 (30 May 1998)
  • Ireland A def. Scotland A 25–18 (25 October 1997)
  • Ireland A def. USA 26–6 (16 March 1996)
  • Ireland A def. USA 24–22 (16 March 1995)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ireland name strong squad for European Championship". rlef.eu.com. 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2015-10-02. 
  2. ^ RLIF Rankings.
  3. ^ "Scotland - Players". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2015-05-14. 
  4. ^ "RLEF". Rlef.eu.com. 2011-03-22. Retrieved 2015-05-14. 

External links[edit]