Ireland national rugby league team explained

Ireland national rugby league team should not be confused with Ireland national rugby union team.

Ireland
Badge:Ireland_rugby_league.png
Badge Size:135px
Nickname:Wolfhounds
Governing Body:Rugby League Ireland
Region:Europe
Coach:Ged Corcoran
Captain:George King
Top Try-Scorer:Stuart Littler (13)
Top Point-Scorer:Liam Finn (170)
Most Caps:Liam Finn (32)
Home Stadium:Carlisle Grounds, Bray
Morton Stadium, Santry
Rlif Rank:16
Most Caps.:Bob Beswick
Pattern La1:_whiteborder
Pattern B1:_whiteV
Pattern Ra1:_whiteborder
Pattern So1:_white_hoops
Leftarm1:107000
Body1:107000
Rightarm1:107000
Shorts1:107000
Socks1:004000
First International: 24–22
(RFK Stadium, Washington DC, 17 March 1995)[1] [2]
Largest Win: 82–0
(Tullamore, Ireland; 18 October 2009)
Largest Loss: England Knights 62–4
(St Helens, England;16 June 2012)
64–6
(Moscow, Russia;16 May 2004)
World Cup Apps:5
World Cup First:2000
World Cup Best:Quarterfinals (2000, 2008)

The Ireland men's national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, is organised by Rugby League Ireland and represents the entire isle of Ireland in international rugby league. The representative team is composed largely of players of Irish descent who compete in the Super League as well as the Australasian National Rugby League. Ireland is also represented by an Ireland A side, which is made up of players from the Irish domestic competition.

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 five Rugby League World Cups – 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017 and 2021.[3] They have also competed in the Rugby League European Nations Cup. Although, the island of Ireland is separate from the island of Great Britain, Irish players such as Cork-born Brian Carney have in the past been selected to play for the Great Britain side.[4]

History

The seeds of modern-day Rugby League in Ireland were sown in 1989 when Brian Corrigan founded the Dublin Blues Rugby League, a club that was primarily used by union players to keep fit during the summer by playing matches against touring British teams.[5] In 1995 the British RFL established Ireland's first development officer and later that year Ireland played against the United States in Washington on St Patricks Day with Ireland winning 24–22.[6] Wigan Warriors player Joe Lydon came on as a substitute despite also serving as the manager. Huddersfield Giants coach Terry Flanagan and former Great Britain Student international Niel Wood were the joint coaches. In August 1995 Ireland beat Scotland at the RDS Arena in Dublin as a curtain raiser to the charity shield match between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors.[7] The matches were played before an attendance of 5,716, a record for an international rugby league match on Irish soil.[8] Former Great Britain player Des Foy played for Ireland. Following their appearance at the 1995 Emerging Nations Tournament, they were invited to the Super League World Nines in Fiji where they finished 8th.[9]

Flags and anthems

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 all-island anthem, "Ireland's Call". Unlike the Irish rugby union team, the Irish rugby league team does not play Amhrán na bhFiann, the national anthem of the Irish state, in addition to Ireland's Call when playing at home.

1995 Emerging Nations Tournament

See also: 1995 Emerging Nations Tournament.

Ireland were included in the tournament held in England and were placed in Group B alongside Moldova and Morocco. Ireland beat Moldova 48–24 before beating Morocco 42–6 to progress to the final. In the final Ireland lost 6–22 to the Cook Islands at Gigg Lane in Bury.[10] Coached by Terry Flanagan, Ireland's squad included professionals Des Foy and Martin Crompton in an otherwise domestic based squad.

2000 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.[11]

2008 World Cup

See also: 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

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.

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.[12] [13] As the group winners, they played Fiji, winners of Group B, for a chance to qualify for the semi-final.[14] Fiji won 30–14 eliminating Ireland.

2013 World Cup

See also: 2013 Rugby League World Cup. For the 2013 World Cup Ireland were drawn in group A alongside Australia, England and 2008 World Cup rivals Fiji. Ireland was granted automatic entry to the tournament due to their strong showing in the 2008 World Cup. Ireland lost all three group matches including a 0–50 defeat to eventual champions Australia in front of 5,021 fans at Thomond Park.[15]

2017 World Cup

See also: 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Ireland kicked off their campaign with a shock 36–12 win over Italy in Cairns. In the next pool match Ireland lost a narrow match to PNG 14–6 with PNG needing a 78th minute try to win the game. Ireland's final pool match was against Wales in Perth where they ran out comfortable winners 34–6. Ireland did not progress to the next round of the tournament despite winning more games than Lebanon or Samoa who qualified for the last 8.[16] [17] [18]

2021 World Cup

See also: 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup. Ireland started 2021 Rugby League World Cup qualification campaign in the 2018 European Championship, where they finished third with a win against Scotland and two losses against France and Wales. Ireland's third-place finish required them to participate in the 2019 European play-off tournament to ensure qualification. Here they managed to achieve two wins against Italy and Spain, leading to their World Cup qualification. Ireland were drawn into Group C, alongside New Zealand, Lebanon and Jamaica.[19] In April 2022 Offaly-born Ged Corcoran took over from Stuart Littler for the World Cup campaign. Ireland finished the tournament with a 1–2 record beating Jamaica in their opener, before losing to Lebanon and New Zealand.[20]

Demotion to affiliate status and 2026 World Cup ineligibility

In March 2024, the International Rugby League deemed that Ireland had been non-compliant with the terms of the IRL membership policy and consequently would be reclassified as an affiliate member.[21]  This decision also made Ireland ineligible to participate in qualifiers for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.[21]

Current squad

The 24-man national team squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup was announced on 29 September 2022.[22]

PlayerCapsPointsClub
812 Leeds Rhinos
00 Leigh Leopards
70 Wigan Warriors
614 Leigh Leopards
30 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
54 Hull Kingston Rovers
98 South Sydney Rabbitohs
20 Gold Coast Titans
30 Sydney Roosters
1111 Halifax Panthers
(c)1324 Hull Kingston Rovers
48 Wigan Warriors
00 Featherstone Rovers
14 Wigan Warriors
60 York City Knights
50 Warrington Wolves
30 Leeds Rhinos
10 St Helens R.F.C.
34 York City Knights
10 Wests Tigers
30 Canberra Raiders
34 Huddersfield Giants
324 Hull Kingston Rovers
50 Batley Bulldogs

Competitive records and ranking

See main article: Ireland national rugby league team match results. Ireland compete in the Rugby League European Nations Cup and have participated in the Rugby League World Cup.

Overall record

Ireland's competitive record as of 29 October 2022[23]

AgainstPlayedWonDrawnLostWin %ForAgaDiff
1 0 0 1 % 0 50 –50
1 1 0 0 % 34 0 +34
1 0 0 1 % 6 22 –16
3 0 0 3 % 28 104 –76
England Knights2 0 0 2 % 8 118 –110
2 0 0 2 % 28 62 –34
9 1 1 7 % 172 295 –123
1 1 0 0 % 70 0 +70
3 3 0 0 % 121 42 +79
2 1 0 1 % 64 70 –6
4 0 2 2 % 64 106 –42
2 2 0 0 % 92 32 +60
1 1 0 0 % 48 26 +22
1 1 0 0 % 42 6 +36
1 0 0 1 % 10 48 –38
1 1 0 0 % 30 16 +14
1 0 0 1 % 6 14 –8
4 3 0 1 % 184 110 +74
2 2 0 0 % 64 32 +32
14 10 0 4 % 299 255 +44
2 2 0 0 % 106 16 +90
2 2 0 0 % 88 14 +74
1 0 0 1 % 20 22 –2
3 3 0 0 % 112 50 +62
10 4 0 6 % 199 253 –54
Total 74 38 3 33 % 1895 1763 +132

World Cup

World Cup RecordWorld Cup qualification record
YearRoundPosition
1954Did not enterDid not enter
1957
1960
1968
1970
1972
1975
1977
1985–88
1989–92
1995
2000Quarter-finalsFifth place43 0194 64Qualified as co-hosts
2008Semi-final qualifierFifth place3 10 2686842 2014264
2013Group stage14th300314 124Automatic qualifier
2017Group stage9th320176 32220011622
2021Group stage9th310272 8222006712
2026Ineligible to participate in qualifiersIneligible to participate in qualifiers
Total5/16 Fifth place 16 7 0 9 324 370 8 6 2 0 325 98
A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Ireland.

European Championship

European Championship record
width=150 Yearwidth=150 Roundwidth=50 colspan=2 Positionwidth=50 GPwidth=50 Wwidth=50 Lwidth=50 D
1935–1996 did not enter
2003Group Stage3/32110
2004Second Place2/63210
2005Group Stage2/32110
2009Fourth Place4/63120
2010Fourth Place4/43030
2012Second Place2/32110
2014Third Place3/43210
2015Third Place3/43120
2018Third Place3/43120
Total0 Titles9/332410140

Triangular Series

Triangular Series Record
width=150 Yearwidth=150 Roundwidth=50 Positionwidth=50 GPwidth=50 Wwidth=50 Lwidth=50 D
19991st Place1/32200
Total1/11 Title2200
This one-off tournament was contested by Ireland, Scotland and Wales.[24] [25]

Coaches

Updated as of 29 October 2022

NameTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWin %Championships/Notes
1995–1996 6 4 0 2 %
1997–2001* 10 6 1 3 %Triangular Series
2003–2005 9 5 0 4 %
Andy Kelly[26] 2006–2010 14 5 2 7 %
Mark Aston[27] 2011–2017 20 8 0 12 %
Carl De ChenuJuly – September 2015[28] [29]
September – October 2016[30] [31] [32]
June 2018[33]
7 6 0 1 %
Stuart Littler[34] [35] 2018–2022 5 3 0 2 %
2022– 3 1 0 2 %
Total 1995– 74 38 3 33 %
 *Andy Kelly and Steve O'Neill were considered joint coaches during the 2000 World Cup and for Ireland's 2001 test with France.[36]
 Between 2015 and 2018 Carl De Chenu served as the domestic coach for test matches and assumed the role of assistant coach for the European Championships and World Cup.

Honours

Stadium & Attendance

In 2015 Rugby League Ireland announced that the Carlisle Grounds in Bray, County Wicklow would become the official home ground of the national team.[37] Despite this announcement, Ireland have also subsequently used Morton Stadium in Santry as their home ground.[38]

Below is a list of the highest attendances for international rugby league matches in Ireland.

Rank Attendance Opponent width=90 Date !Venue Metro area
1 5,716 1995-08-13 Dublin
2 5,021 2013-11-09 Limerick
3 3,207 2000-10-28 Belfast[39]
4 3,164 2000-11-04 Dublin[40]
5 3,100 2011-11-05 Limerick[41]

Individual Records

Statistics are up to date as of 30 October 2022.[42] [43] [44] Bold indicates current player.

Most caps
RankNameCareerCapsTriesPosition
1Liam Finn2007–18328SO
2Bob Beswick2006–15273HK
3Scott Grix2006–18228FB
4Stuart Littler2004–162113FB
5Luke Ambler2009–16206FW
Most tries
RankNameCareerCapsTriesPosition
1Stuart Littler2004–162113FB
2Casey Dunne2014–181312FB
3Damien Blanch2006–1399WG
Phil Cantillon2003–0679HK
Karl Fitzpatrick2003–09139FB
Most points
RankNameCareerCapsTriesPointsPosition
1Liam Finn2007–18328170SO
2James Kelly2015–167564SO
Casey Dunne2014–18131264FB
4Stuart Littler2004–16211354FB
5Karl Fitzpatrick2003–0913946FB

Notable players

Below is a list of players who have also gained caps for either Australia, the Exiles, Great Britain or England in addition to their caps earned with Ireland.

Australia
England
Exiles
Great Britain

Ireland A

See main article: Ireland A national rugby league team. The Ireland A team is selected from players in the Irish domestic competition, administered by Rugby League Ireland. The Ireland A side competed in the St Patrick's Day Challenge between 2000 and 2012 and in the Amateur Four Nations from 2003 to 2014.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ireland vs USA - Rugby League 1995 . youtube . 6 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Rugby League Ireland . Rugby League Ireland . 16 April 2021.
  3. Web site: Competitions . Rugby League Project . 5 March 2021.
  4. Web site: Carney swaps codes with Munster . BBC Sport . 5 March 2021.
  5. Web site: About . Dublin RL . 5 March 2021.
  6. Web site: GETTING TO KNOW OUR WORLD CUP TEAMS . Leeds Rhinos . 5 March 2021.
  7. Web site: Legacy: The Class of ‘95 . Scotland RL . 5 March 2021.
  8. Web site: Scotland vs. Ireland . Rugby League Project . 5 March 2021.
  9. Web site: 1996 World Nines . RL Wales . 6 March 2021.
  10. Web site: Caisley dismisses rugby league Home Nations championship . RTE . 6 March 2021.
  11. Web site: Curtain falls on World Cup . BBC Sport . 6 March 2021.
  12. Web site: Tonga 22-20 Ireland . BBC Sport . 6 March 2021.
  13. Web site: Ireland 34-16 Samoa . BBC Sport . 6 March 2021.
  14. Web site: Fiji 30-14 Ireland . BBC Sport . 6 March 2021.
  15. Web site: Rugby League World Cup 2013: Australia 50-0 Ireland . BBC Sport . 6 March 2021.
  16. News: Ireland 36-12 Italy. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2020-08-20.
  17. Web site: 2017-11-05. PNG scores thrilling win over Ireland sparking incredible scenes in Papua New Guinea. 2020-08-20. NewsComAu. en.
  18. News: Wales 6-34 Ireland. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2020-08-20.
  19. Web site: 2020-01-16. World Cup organisers hoping for SBW to kick-off 2021 edition. 2020-07-27. National Rugby League. en.
  20. Web site: Ireland are outclassed by New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup . the42 . 30 October 2022.
  21. Web site: IRL MEMBERSHIP: IRELAND, ITALY, LEBANON, SCOTLAND RECLASSIFIED . INTRL . 23 July 2024.
  22. Web site: Ireland’s 24-man Rugby League World Cup 2021 squad . RLI . 29 September 2022.
  23. Web site: Ireland . rugbyleagueproject . 16 October 2022.
  24. Web site: Triangular Series 1999 . rugbyleagueproject . 11 November 2019.
  25. Web site: Sport: Rugby League Ireland make most of Eyres dismissal . BBC . 5 March 2021.
  26. Web site: Ireland and Kelly part ways . Sky Sports . 7 August 2022.
  27. Web site: Stuart Littler appointed new Ireland rugby league coach . RTE . 9 August 2022.
  28. Web site: Irish rugby leaguers to play Belgium at Carlisle Grounds . Irish Independent . 8 August 2022.
  29. Web site: IRELAND NAME STRONG SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP . European Rugby League . 8 August 2022.
  30. Web site: Casey Dunne scores hat-trick of tries as late Ireland charge sees off Italy . Sky Sports . 8 August 2022.
  31. Web site: Ireland fire 10-try World Cup warning with win over Malta . Rugby League Planet . 8 August 2022.
  32. Web site: Ireland face step up in class against the Reggae Warriors . Harpin on Rugby . 8 August 2022.
  33. Web site: Hungary and Ireland announce squads for Budapest Test . Love Rugby League . 8 August 2022.
  34. Web site: Ged Corcoran named as new Ireland Rugby League head coach . RTE . 11 April 2022.
  35. Web site: Ireland confirm departure of Stuart Littler as head coach ahead of World Cup . Love Rugby League . 11 April 2022.
  36. Web site: Rugby League: World Cup coaching duo reappointed . Irish Examiner . 7 August 2022.
  37. Web site: RL Ireland has a new home . Love Rugby League . 6 March 2021.
  38. Web site: Super League stars feature in Ireland train-on squad . Total Rugby League . 6 March 2021.
  39. Web site: Ireland vs. Samoa . Rugby League Project . 6 March 2021.
  40. Web site: Ireland vs. New Zealand Maori . Rugby League Project . 6 March 2021.
  41. Web site: Ireland vs. France . Rugby League Project . 6 March 2021.
  42. Web site: Ireland . rugbyleagueproject . 16 November 2019.
  43. Web site: Ireland . rugbyleagueproject . 23 November 2019.
  44. Web site: Ireland . rugbyleagueproject . 23 November 2019.
  45. Web site: League star for Ireland? . espnscrum . 6 March 2021.