Ireland will be hoping to go one better in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup after a promising campaign in the last staging of the tournament.
In 2008, the Wolfhounds fell just short of being the first ever Irish national side to reach the semi-finals of a major international competition.
Ireland Wolfhounds
RLIF World Ranking: 9
Best Result: Quarter-Finalists (2000, 2008)
2008 Finish: Fifth
2013 RLWC Odds: $251
Since the formation of the Dublin Blues side in 1989, rugby league has been growing at a steady pace on the Emerald Isle.
There are now 20 clubs taking part in the Irish summer and Rugby League Ireland is hoping to enter a team into the Super League by the end of the decade. Another successful World Cup campaign, especially one which includes a match on home soil, will provide a real boost to the game in Ireland.
The Wolfhounds’ first appearance in the RLWC was in 2000, where they debuted by topping their pool undefeated before going down to England 26-16 in the quarter-finals.
In 2008, Ireland were tipped to finish bottom of their group after being placed in the same pool as the fancied Samoan and Tonga sides, yet Ireland still managed to top the pool and progress to a play-off for a spot in the semi-finals where they were undone by Fiji.
Ireland has a 47 percent win record in internationals and their most recent outing resulted in a 30-18 victory over Scotland.
Team Line-Up (likely)
1. Stuart Littler
2. Damien Blanch
3. James Mendeika
4. Apirana Pewhairangi
5. Pat Richards
6. Scott Grix
7. Liam Finn (c)
8. Brett White
9. Rory Kostjasyn
10. Eamon O’Carroll
11. Simon Grix
12. Dave Allen
13. Tyrone McCarthy
14. James Hasson
15. Anthony Mullally
16. Danny Bridge
17. Simon Finnigan
Squad Members: Ben Currie, Luke Ambler, Bob Beswick, Kurt Haggerty, Colton Roche, Mark Snyde, Joshua Toole
The majority of this squad currently play in the Super League, however Coach Mark Aston has a handful of NRL experience on deck through the likes of White, Kostjasyn, Pewhairangi and Richards.
The side will be skippered by the halfback Liam Finn, who took over the captaincy from his halves partner Scott Grix in 2009.
Key Player
If you ask any Wigan fan their thoughts on who the most valuable player for Ireland is, you will most likely be told Pat Richards.
Fresh off celebrating a grand final win with the Warriors, Richards will be looking to ignite the Irish attack from the back. The Wests Tigers have signed Richards for a return to the NRL at the age of 32 – a sign of just how valuable he is.
Richards won the 2010 Super League Man of Steel playing on the wing, which is some feat.
Ireland coach Mark Aston will be hoping Richards carries his grand final form into the World Cup.
Group A Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Fiji @ Spotland Stadium, Rochdale. Kick-off – Tues 29th Oct, 7am AEDT.
Vs England @ JS Stadium, Huddersfield. Kick-off – Sun 3rd Nov, 1:30am AEDT.
Vs Australia @ Thomond Park, Limerick. Kick-off – Sun 10th Nov, 7:00am AEDT.
Key Match
The side that stopped Ireland’s run in 2008 was Fiji, and the opening match of the tournament for the two sides will most likely determine who will go through to the next stage of this World Cup.
Ireland will virtually be playing the Bati away from home, as Rochdale’s large Fijian community will certainly create a terrific atmosphere at Spotland Stadium for this game.
The Wolfhounds have the perfect chance to avenge their defeat from the last RLWC.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
Ireland has been placed in arguably the toughest pool of the tournament, containing four of the top five placed teams from the 2008 World Cup.
The match-ups against Australia and England will be tough going for the Wolfhounds, however the game against the Kangaroos at home will be the biggest rugby league match played in the Emerald Isle.
If Ireland can defeat Fiji they may well reach the quarter-finals once again – something they have never failed to do.
In saying that, the 2013 RLWC is certainly going to be the toughest task for the Irish yet.
Awesome person
Guest
If Ireland can beat Fiji they will make the quarter finals watch this space
Renegade
Roar Guru
Midfielder, yes let's hope it is! I believe there is around 120 players from NRL clubs including u20's in the UK at the moment. Yeah they might stuggle at the back end of 2014 but they only get an oppurtunity like this once every 4 years so i'm sure they won't mind.
Midfielder
Guest
Good luck to RL ... hope your WC is a success.... BTW how many players from the NRL are over there ... saw an article the other day re players not getting back until mid December and a tho the the back half of next season could see some players struggling ....
Awesome person
Guest
Can't wait for the game in limerick it would be great if the wolfhounds managed an upset. NRL Players Rory Kostjasyn and Brett White on debut for Ireland, this World Cup is going to be the best ever!!
Felix
Guest
Gareth Thomas had retired from RU and was 38 before he switched RL - he was also on a dance ice show and Big Brother so he was up for money whomever wanted to pay him to get some celebrity so the RL offer was pretty disingenuous. Similar to the Western reds hiring Adrian barich retired AFL player who had never played RL, for the purposes of publicity in virgin territory.
Beer and Trembling
Guest
Garreth Thomas switched. I am not at all sure that Warburton will go down in the history books as favorably as Thomas. I'm an American, and I've had an eye on the game here for a long time. We've had a lot of false starts here, but there is some reason to think that with the growth of the game in Canada and Jamaica, we might start making big strides soon.
Scottie
Guest
Rugby league in countries like Ireland, Wales and France doesn't have much potential to grow in my opinion. Wales is union crazed much like Ireland but not to the Wales extent. French people know what union is but have never heard of league. Sorry but I just can't see anyone from these countries switching with the likes of Sam warburton, and Brian o'driscoll. Greats of rugby in there countries.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Hopefully the great game can make some inroads into Ireland, there is definitely some great growth potential there.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
With Pat Richards in vintage form, they can achieve the improbable.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Too right mate. I'll be watching as many games as possible this World Cup.
Froggo
Guest
Yeah Ryan Air from Manchester to Dublin every other Friday and some local hospitality would make an interesting away trip...
Renegade
Roar Guru
If they can get a side into the Super League, it will do wonders for the game in Ireland.
Renegade
Roar Guru
They were expected to finish last at the 2008 RLWC yet managed to only just miss the Semi Finals. It will take some effort this time having been drawn in the pool of death.
seajay23
Guest
Sure does in Ireland; you wouldn't walk alone in the rough parts of Limerick! I am not suggesting the Irish recession would be good for the League, but some of the poverty you see over there reminds you that the class war is over and the ruling class won!
seajay23
Guest
I am married to an Irishwoman, visit Ireland every few years and being part of her big extended family i spend plenty of time talking sport. The Irish love their sport as much as we do; the GAA is huge, Soccer interest is mainly in the national team and the EPL (local comp is tiny) but Union is the most followed international sport. When I visited in June and July of this year i did not see one single article, not even a score in local sports pages, about Rugby League in Ireland. Yet all the people I spoke to know about Rugby League, they know about WIgan and St Helens and they know Israel Falou came from League. They just don't know that the game is already played in Ireland. The feeling I got was that Ireland was a good potential development area for the game; anyone who likes Hurling would like League! Hopefully the RLWC will initiate some interest, and an ESL team might suceed.
Seb Vettel
Guest
Wait... class still exist.
Dan
Guest
That's actually pretty impressive... I was about to have a laugh at this, but considering League's relative obscurity that's quite impressive growth in Ireland. I hope they get a team in the ESL and start to get more competitive. The ESL should really try to aim for a team in each of the Isle states. Just a shame the game is so minor in the UK in spite of the ESL.
Chris Chard
Expert
You'd think the Wolfhounds would be up against it in the pool of death, however Ireland always seem to over achieve at the cup so I don't expect them to disgrace themselves
Renegade
Roar Guru
You're welcome Ra. The minnows are what make the tournament great!
seajay23
Guest
Good that they are playing Australia in Limerick; toughest city in Ireland and it seems like they will have a decent crowd. Hopefully they will take to the working class game.