Ireland Head Coach Mark Aston has announced a 29-man train-on squad for the 2014 Rugby League European Championship, during which the Wolfhounds will face France, Scotland and Wales.
The squad includes eight of 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad; Bob Beswick, Luke Ambler, Stuart Littler, Matty Hadden, Josh Toole, Colton Roche, Danny Bridge and Apirana Pewhairangi. Also selected are seven members of the Ireland Amateur team who won the Celtic Nations Cup against Scotland and Wales in August, among 13 debutants including Leeds Rhinos prop Robbie Mulhern.
From the domestic competition Hadden is joined by Brendan Guilfoyle, Lemeki Vaipulu, Wayne Kelly, Mikey Russell, and Casey Dunne while former Treaty City Titans forward Graham O’Keeffe has also received the nod from Aston. Meanwhile St Helens’ fullback Shannon McDonnell could make his long awaited debut for Ireland having missed out on both the 2008 and 2013 World Cups through injury.
Speaking on the announcement Aston, pictured, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to add a number of new players into the system. The fixtures against France, Scotland and Wales are always exciting especially with the added incentive of 2016 Four Nations qualification for the winners.”
Ireland will host both of their home matches at the Tallaght Stadium, Dublin against France on 18th October and Scotland a week later. They will then face Wales in Wrexham on the 2nd November.
IRELAND 29-MAN TRAIN-ON SQUAD
Matty Hadden (Antrim Eels), Casey Dunne (Athboy), Michael Russell (Barnhall), Sean Hesketh (Batley), Wayne Kelly (Belfast Mets), Haydn Peacock (Carcassonne), Jobe Murphy (Dewsbury), Elliot Cosgrove (Keighley), Luke Ambler, Callum Casey (Halifax), Robbie Mulhern (Leeds), Bob Beswick, Stuart Littler, Greg McNally, Michael Platt (Leigh), Josh Toole (North Bears), Callum Mulkeen (Oxford), Apirana Pewhairangi (Parramatta), Sean Casey (Rochdale), Shannon McDonnell (St Helens), Brendan Guilfoyle, Graham O’Keefe, Lemeki Vaipulu (Treaty City Titans), James Toole (Tweed Heads), Danny Bridge (Warrington), Brad Hargreaves (Wigan St Patricks), Colton Roche, Pat Smith (York), Will Hope (unattached)