From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
Ireland national rugby league team
Represents Ireland in international rugby league
Represents Ireland in international rugby league
| Field | Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | 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 | 14 | ||||
| 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) | |||||
| Largest win | 82–0 | ||||
| (Tullamore, Ireland; 18 October 2009) | |||||
| Largest loss | England 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) |
| Top try-scorer = Stuart Littler (13) | Top point-scorer = Liam Finn (170) Morton Stadium, Santry | Most caps. = Bob Beswick
(RFK Stadium, Washington DC, 17 March 1995) (Tullamore, Ireland; 18 October 2009) (St Helens, England;16 June 2012) 64–6 (Moscow, Russia;16 May 2004) 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. The matches were played before an attendance of 5,716, a record for an international rugby league match on Irish soil. 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.
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 neither plays Amhrán na bhFiann, the national anthem of the Irish state, nor God Save the King/Queen, the national anthem of Northern Ireland, in addition to Ireland's Call when playing at home.
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. 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.
2008 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.
2013 World Cup
2017 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.
2021 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. 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.
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. This decision also made Ireland ineligible to participate in qualifiers for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Coaches
Updated as of 12 October 2025
| Name | Tenure | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % | Championships/Notes | Total | 1995– | 77 | 41 | 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. | †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. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG Terry Flanagan | 1995–1996 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENG Steve O'Neill | 1997–2001* | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | % | Triangular Series | |||||||||||||||||
| ENG Daryl Powell | 2003–2005 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENG Andy Kelly | 2006–2010 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENG Mark Aston | 2011–2017 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ireland Carl De Chenu† | title=Irish rugby leaguers to play Belgium at Carlisle Grounds | url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/sport/irish-rugby-leaguers-to-play-belgium-at-carlisle-grounds-31332965.html | website=Irish Independent | access-date=8 August 2022}} | ||||||||||||||||||||
| September – October 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 2018 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ireland Stuart Littler | 2018–2022 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ireland Ged Corcoran | 2022 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ireland Wayne Kerr | 2024– | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | % |
Current squad
The 28-man squad selected for the Autumn 2025 tests against and .
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Aaron Lynch | ENG Swinton Lions |
| Tom Ashurst | ENG Swinton Lions |
| Aidan McGowan | ENG Huddersfield Giants |
| Connor Carr | ENG Huddersfield Giants |
| George King | ENG Huddersfield Giants |
| Harry Rushton | ENG Huddersfield Giants |
| Brendan O’Hagan | IRE Entrance Tigers |
| Daire Kemp | IRE Longhorns RL |
| Dan Lynch | ENG Rochdale Hornets |
| Dec O’Donnell | ENG Rochdale Hornets |
| Daniel Corcoran | AUS Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Isaac Baynham | ENG Leigh Leopards |
| Jack Brown | ENG York Knights |
| Jake Thewlis | ENG Warrington Wolves |
| Joe Philbin | ENG Warrington Wolves |
| Toby King | ENG Warrington Wolves |
| James Farrar | IRE Ireland A Pathways |
| Lewis Wing | IRE Ireland A Pathways |
| Jamie Gill | ENG Bradford Bulls |
| Ronan Michael | ENG Bradford Bulls |
| Lachlan Lanskey | ENG Keighley Cougars |
| Oliver Whitford | ENG Keighley Cougars |
| Liam O’Callaghan | ENG Wests Warriors |
| Louix Gorman | ENG Hull KR |
| Lucas Castle | ENG Workington Town |
| Pat Moran | ENG Oldham Roughyeds |
| Ryan Hogg | IRE Dublin City Exiles |
| Will Walker | IRE Sherwood Wolf Hunt |
Individual Records
Statistics are up to date as of 30 October 2022. Bold indicates current player.
| Most caps | Rank | Name | Career | Caps | Tries | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liam Finn | 2007–18 | 32 | 8 | SO | |
| 2 | Bob Beswick | 2006–15 | 27 | 3 | HK | |
| 3 | Scott Grix | 2006–18 | 22 | 8 | FB | |
| 4 | Stuart Littler | 2004–16 | 21 | 13 | FB | |
| 5 | Luke Ambler | 2009–16 | 20 | 6 | FW |
| Most tries | Rank | Name | Career | Caps | Tries | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stuart Littler | 2004–16 | 21 | 13 | FB | |
| 2 | Casey Dunne | 2014–18 | 13 | 12 | FB | |
| 3 | Damien Blanch | 2006–13 | 9 | 9 | WG | |
| Phil Cantillon | 2003–06 | 7 | 9 | HK | ||
| Karl Fitzpatrick | 2003–09 | 13 | 9 | FB |
| Most points | Rank | Name | Career | Caps | Tries | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liam Finn | 2007–18 | 32 | 8 | 170 | SO | |
| 2 | James Kelly | 2015–16 | 7 | 5 | 64 | SO | |
| Casey Dunne | 2014–18 | 13 | 12 | 64 | FB | ||
| 4 | Stuart Littler | 2004–16 | 21 | 13 | 54 | FB | |
| 5 | Karl Fitzpatrick | 2003–09 | 13 | 9 | 46 | FB |
Competitive records
Main article: List of Ireland national rugby league team results
Ireland compete in the Rugby League European Nations Cup and have participated in the Rugby League World Cup.
Head to head record
Ireland's competitive record as of 06 October 2025
| Against | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % | For | Aga | Diff | Total | 77 | 41 | 3 | 33 | % | 1,991 | 1,797 | +194 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENG England Knights | 2 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | 60 | 28 | +32 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | % | 6 | 14 | –8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | % | 184 | 110 | +74 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | 64 | 32 | +32 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | % | 335 | 261 | +74 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 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 |
IRL Rankings
World Cup
| World Cup Record | World Cup qualification record | Year | Round | Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Total | 5/16 | Fifth place | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 324 | 370 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 325 | 98 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France 1954 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 1957 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| England 1960 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AustraliaNew Zealand 1968 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| England 1970 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| France 1972 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1975 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AustraliaNew Zealand 1977 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985–88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989–92 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| England 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| England Ireland FranceScotlandWales 2000 | Quarter-finals | Fifth place | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 94 | 64 | Qualified as co-hosts | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2008 | Semi-final qualifier | Fifth place | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 68 | 68 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 142 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
| EnglandWales2013 | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 124 | Automatic qualifier | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| AustraliaNew ZealandPapua New Guinea 2017 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 76 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||
| England 2021 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 72 | 82 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2026 | Ineligible to participate in qualifiers | Ineligible to participate in qualifiers |
A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Ireland.
European Championship
| European Championship record | Year | Round | Position | GP | W | L | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935–1996 | did not enter | |||||||
| 2003 | Group Stage | 3/3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2004 | Second Place | 2/6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2005 | Group Stage | 2/3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | Fourth Place | 4/6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | Fourth Place | 4/4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2012 | Second Place | 2/3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2014 | Third Place | 3/4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | Third Place | 3/4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | Third Place | 3/4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 Titles | 9/33 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 0 |
Triangular Series
| Triangular Series Record | Year | Round | Position | GP | W | L | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1st Place | 1/3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1/1 | 1 Title | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
This one-off tournament was contested by Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Honours
- 1999 Triangular Series
Stadium and Attendances
In 2015 Rugby League Ireland announced that the Carlisle Grounds in Bray, County Wicklow would become the official home ground of the national team. Despite this announcement, Ireland have also subsequently used Morton Stadium in Santry as their home ground.
Below is a list of the highest attendances for international rugby league matches in Ireland.
| Rank | Attendance | Opponent | Date | Venue | Metro area | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,716 | Scotland | 1995-08-13 | RDS Arena | Dublin | |||
| 2 | 5,021 | Australia | 2013-11-09 | Thomond Park | Limerick | |||
| 3 | 3,207 | Samoa | 2000-10-28 | Windsor Park | title=Ireland vs. Samoa | url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-2000/game-1/ireland-vs-samoa.html | website=Rugby League Project | access-date=6 March 2021}} |
| 4 | 3,164 | New Zealand Maori | 2000-11-04 | Tolka Park | title=Ireland vs. New Zealand Maori | url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-2000/game-3/ireland-vs-new-zealand-maori.html | website=Rugby League Project | access-date=6 March 2021}} |
| 5 | 3,100 | France | 2011-11-05 | Thomond Park | title=Ireland vs. France | url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/autumn-international-series-2011/game-3/ireland-vs-france.html | website=Rugby League Project | access-date=6 March 2021}} |
Ireland A
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.
References
References
- (February 2022). "Ireland vs USA - Rugby League 1995".
- "Rugby League Ireland".
- "Competitions".
- "Carney swaps codes with Munster".
- "About".
- "GETTING TO KNOW OUR WORLD CUP TEAMS".
- "Legacy: The Class of ‘95".).
- "Scotland vs. Ireland".
- "1996 World Nines".
- "Caisley dismisses rugby league Home Nations championship".
- "Curtain falls on World Cup".
- "Tonga 22-20 Ireland".
- "Ireland 34-16 Samoa".
- "Fiji 30-14 Ireland".
- "Rugby League World Cup 2013: Australia 50-0 Ireland".
- "Ireland 36-12 Italy". BBC Sport.
- (2017-11-05). "PNG scores thrilling win over Ireland sparking incredible scenes in Papua New Guinea".
- "Wales 6-34 Ireland". BBC Sport.
- (2020-01-16). "World Cup organisers hoping for SBW to kick-off 2021 edition".
- "Ireland are outclassed by New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup".
- "IRL MEMBERSHIP: IRELAND, ITALY, LEBANON, SCOTLAND RECLASSIFIED".
- "Ireland and Kelly part ways".
- "Stuart Littler appointed new Ireland rugby league coach".
- "Irish rugby leaguers to play Belgium at Carlisle Grounds".
- "IRELAND NAME STRONG SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP".
- "Casey Dunne scores hat-trick of tries as late Ireland charge sees off Italy".
- "Ireland fire 10-try World Cup warning with win over Malta".
- "Ireland face step up in class against the Reggae Warriors".
- "Hungary and Ireland announce squads for Budapest Test".
- "Ged Corcoran named as new Ireland Rugby League head coach".
- "Ireland confirm departure of Stuart Littler as head coach ahead of World Cup".
- "Kerr to oversee new look Ireland team in Netherlands international".
- "Rugby League: World Cup coaching duo reappointed".
- https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-league/former-wigan-warriors-trio-earn-ireland-call-ups-for-upcoming-tests-with-full-squad-announced-5358448
- "Ireland".
- "Ireland".
- "Ireland".
- "Ireland".
- "Triangular Series 1999".
- "Sport: Rugby League Ireland make most of Eyres dismissal".
- "RL Ireland has a new home".
- "Super League stars feature in Ireland train-on squad".
- "Ireland vs. Samoa".
- "Ireland vs. New Zealand Maori".
- "Ireland vs. France".
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about Ireland national rugby league team — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report