Ireland’s squad for the Rugby League World Cup is dominated by players from competitions played in England, mainly from the Super League.
Among them is New Zealander Api Pewhairangi, who made 13 appearances for the Vodafone Warriors’ New South Wales Cup side in 2015, switched to rugby union midway through the season to link up with Irish club Connacht.
A four-game NRL player with Parramatta in 2013, he was back playing rugby league for the London Broncos last year.
Ireland coach Mark Aston has kept the core squad together that has been a part of the last few European Championships and the players that qualified for the tournament last autumn.
Evergreen Liam Finn and Scott Grix lead the side out as captain and vice-captain.
Irish-born NRL and Super League giant James Hasson leads a pack that includes youngsters like Brad Singleton, the King brothers and Joe Philbin of Warrington as well as Kyle Amor, Anthony Mullally, Tyrone McCarthy and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. The hooker position sees Michael McIlorum return to the Wolfhounds after a long absence.
IRELAND | THE WOLFHOUNDS
Liam Finn (Wakefield Wildcats) captain
Scott Grix (Wakefield Wildcats) vice-captain
James Hasson (Wakefield Wildcats)
Kyle Amor (St Helens)
Liam Kay (Toronto Wolfpack)
Will Hope (Sheffield Eagles)
Oliver Roberts (Huddersfield Giants)
Ed Chamberlain (Widnes Vikings)
George King (Warrington Wolves)
Toby King (Warrington Wolves)
Joe Keyes (Bradford Bulls)
Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves)
Jack Higginson (Wigan Warriors)
Anthony Mullally (Leeds Rhinos)
Tyrone McCarthy (Salford City Reds)
Brad Singleton (Leeds Rhinos)
Micky McIlorum (Wigan Warriors)
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (St Helens)
Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos)
Matty Hadden (Rochdale Hornets)
Shannon McDonnell (Camden Rams)
Casey Dunne (Longhorns RL)
James Kelly (Sheffield Eagles)
Alan McMahon (Waterford Vikings)
Travelling reserve | Mikey Russell (Coventry Bears)
IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS AT RLWC2017 | POOL GAMES
v Italy Azzurri
2.00pm, Sunday, October 29
Barlow Park, Cairns
v Papua New Guinea Kumuls
4.00pm, Sunday, November 5
Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Morseby
v Wales Dragons
3.30pm, Sunday, November 12
nib Stadium, Perth
