Rugby League World Cup Preview: Ireland

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. Having now reached the halfway mark of the series, we shift our focus to Group C and an Irish squad who will have their sights set on a postseason berth.

IRL Ranking: 12th

Group: C

Schedule: Jamaica (Headingley Stadium, Leeds); Lebanon (Leigh Sports Village, Leigh); New Zealand (Headingley Stadium, Leeds)

World Cup Appearances: 4 (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017)

Best Result: Semi-finalists (2008)

Head Coach: Ged Corcoran

Title Odds: $1001

The Wolfhounds have not made an international appearance since the European Qualifiers pre-COVID but will touch down in the UK with their sights set on advancing past the group stage for the first time since 2008.

Their tournament will kick-off in Leeds where they face World Cup debutants Jamaica before heading southwest to take on Lebanon in Leeds and finishing up their group stage against heavyweights New Zealand.

They will expect to get the job done against a plucky but inexperienced Jamaican outfit before facing off against Lebanon in a huge clash that will likely decide who qualifies past the group stage.

The Irish are set to be boosted by the inclusion of Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary who was ruled out of their previous World Cup campaign through injury whilst Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe, Sea Eagles centre Morgan Harper, Canterbury hooker Josh Cook and former-Raider Harry Rushton – who is aiming to return from a jaw injury – are among the other NRLers head coach Ged Corcoran may lean on.

Warriors back-rower Josh Curran and Sharks veteran Dale Finucane are two other stars who will walk into the side should they put their hand up, however, their status is yet to be confirmed.

Hull K.R. big man George King is expected to skipper the side and occupy a role as a starting middle with Jolliffe a favourite to land alongside him. St Helens veteran Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook will also push for a spot in the pack in his second World Cup campaign along with the likes of Wigan props Liam Byrne and Brad Singleton, Warrington forwards Kyle Amor and Rob Mulhern, York City’s Ronan Michael and Batley’s Michael Ward.

Their edge forward stocks are similarly healthy with Leeds’ James Bentley, Warrington’s Ben Currie, Hull K.R.’s Frankie Halton, Newcastle Thunder’s Oliver Roberts and Western Suburbs’ Henry O’Kane all on Corcoran’s shortlist.

Catalans veteran Michael McIlorum will be awarded the hooking spot should he opt to represent Ireland over England which is still up in the air with Canterbury rake Josh Cook and Wakefield Trinity utility Liam Kay offering enticing backup options.

Keary will occupy one spot in the halves with Leeds playmaker Richie Myler expected to partner him. Warrington youngster Riley Dean also offers cover should either be unavailable or if Corcoran opts to shift Myler to the back.

20-year-old Warrington fullback Josh Thewlis is the favourite to land the number one jumper with Hull K.R.’s Ethan Ryan and Sam Wood, Huddersfield twin Innes and Louis Senior, and Leigh’s Ed Chamberlain contenders to play outside him on the wing.

Centre options include Harper and Huddersfield’s Toby King, as well as Wood and the Senior twins.

The Irish will have circled their clash against Lebanon as their most vital of the group stage with a quarterfinals berth potentially on the line and will fancy their chances, particularly if they can snag the allegiance of Curran and/or Finucane.

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