Ireland national rugby league team

Ireland
Badge of Ireland team
Team information
NicknameWolfhounds
Governing bodyRugby League Ireland
RegionEurope
Head coachGed Corcoran
CaptainGeorge King
Most capsLiam Finn (32)
Top try-scorerStuart Littler (13)
Top point-scorerLiam Finn (170)
Home stadiumCarlisle Grounds, Bray
Morton Stadium, Santry
IRL ranking14th
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
 Ireland 24–22 United States 
(RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., 17 March 1995)[1]
Biggest win
 Ireland 82–0 Serbia 
(Tullamore, Ireland; 18 October 2009)
Biggest defeat
England England Knights 62–4 Ireland 
(St Helens, England;16 June 2012)
 Russia 64–6 Ireland 
(Moscow, Russia;16 May 2004)
World Cup
Appearances5 (first time in 2000)
Best resultQuarterfinals (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.[2] They have also competed in the Rugby League European Nations Cup.[2]

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.[3]

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.[4][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.[5][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.[7][8] Former Great Britain player Des Foy played for Ireland.[8] 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 Four Provinces Flag of Ireland

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.[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

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.

Ireland at the 2008 World Cup.

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.[14]

2013 World Cup

England v Ireland 2013 RLWC

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

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

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.[20] Ireland finished the tournament with a 1–2 record beating Jamaica in their opener, before losing to Lebanon and New Zealand.[21]

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.[22] This decision also made Ireland ineligible to participate in qualifiers for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.[22]

Coaches

Updated as of 12 October 2025

Name Tenure Matches Won Drawn Lost Win % Championships/Notes
England Terry Flanagan1995–1996640266.67%
England Steve O'Neill1997–2001*1061360%Triangular Series
England Daryl Powell2003–2005950455.56%
England Andy Kelly[23]2006–20101452735.71%
England Mark Aston[24]2011–201720801240%
Ireland Carl De Chenu†July – September 2015[25][26]
September – October 2016[27][28][29]
June 2018[30]		760185.71%
Ireland Stuart Littler[20][31]2018–2022530260%
Ireland Ged Corcoran2022310233.33%
Ireland Wayne Kerr[32]2024–3300100%
Total1995–774133353.25%N/a
*Andy Kelly and Steve O'Neill were considered joint coaches during the 2000 World Cup and for Ireland's 2001 test with France.[33]
†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.

Current squad

The 28-man squad selected for the Autumn 2025 tests against  Netherlands and  Wales.[34]

Player Club
Aaron LynchEngland Swinton Lions
Tom AshurstEngland Swinton Lions
Aidan McGowanEngland Midlands Hurricanes
Connor CarrEngland Huddersfield Giants
George KingEngland Huddersfield Giants
Harry RushtonEngland Huddersfield Giants
Brendan O’HaganIreland Entrance Tigers
Daire KempIreland Longhorns RL
Dan LynchEngland Salford RLFC
Dec O’DonnellEngland Wigan St Judes
Daniel CorcoranAustralia Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Isaac BaynhamEngland Leigh Leopards
Jack BrownEngland York Knights
Jake ThewlisEngland Warrington Wolves
Joe PhilbinEngland Warrington Wolves
Toby KingEngland Warrington Wolves
James FarrarIreland Ireland A Pathways
Lewis WingIreland Ireland A Pathways
Jamie GillEngland Bradford Bulls
Ronan Michael
Lachlan LanskeyEngland Keighley Cougars
Oliver WhitfordEngland Keighley Cougars
Liam O’CallaghanEngland Wests Warriors
Louix GormanEngland Hull KR
Lucas CastleEngland Workington Town
Pat MoranEngland Oldham Roughyeds
Ryan HoggIreland Dublin City Exiles
Will WalkerIreland Sherwood Wolf Hunt

Individual Records

Statistics are up to date as of 30 October 2022.[35][36][37] Bold indicates current player.

Competitive records

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 [38]

Against Played Won Drawn Lost Win % For Aga Diff
 Australia10010%050–50
 Belgium1100100%340+34
 Cook Islands10010%622–16
 England30030%28104–76
England England Knights20020%8118–110
 Fiji20020%2862–34
 France911711.11%172295–123
 Hungary1100100%700+70
 Italy3300100%12142+79
 Jamaica210150%6470–6
 Lebanon40220%64106–42
 Malta2200100%9232+60
 Moldova1100100%4826+22
 Morocco1100100%426+36
 New Zealand10010%1048–38
 Māori1100100%3016+14
 Netherlands2200100%6028+32
 Papua New Guinea10010%614–8
 Russia430175%184110+74
 Samoa2200100%6432+32
 Scotland15110473.33%335261+74
 Serbia2200100%10616+90
 Spain2200100%8814+74
 Tonga10010%2022–2
 United States3300100%11250+62
 Wales1040640%199253–54
Total774133353.25%1,9911,797+194

IRL Rankings

IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of August 2026
RankChangeTeamPts %
1 Steady Australia100
2 Steady New Zealand82
3 Steady England70
4 Steady Samoa56
5 Steady Tonga54
6 Steady Papua New Guinea47
7 Steady Fiji34
8 Increase 1 Cook Islands24
9 Increase 2 Netherlands23
10 Increase 2 Ukraine21
11 Decrease 3 France21
12 Decrease 2 Serbia20
13 Steady Wales18
14 Steady Ireland17
15 Steady Greece14
16 Steady Malta14
17 Increase 12 Canada13
18 Decrease 1 Italy11
19 Decrease 1 Jamaica9
20 Increase 7 Scotland8
21 Increase 1 United States8
22 Decrease 3 Poland7
23 Decrease 3 Lebanon7
24 Decrease 1 Germany7
25 Decrease 1 Czech Republic6
26 Decrease 5 Norway6
27 Decrease 2 Chile5
28 Increase 2 Philippines5
29 Decrease 1 South Africa4
30 Steady Brazil3
31 Steady Morocco3
32 Increase 1 Argentina3
33 Increase 2 Ghana2
34 Increase 2 Kenya2
35 Decrease 1 Montenegro2
36 Increase 1 Nigeria2
37 Decrease 5 North Macedonia1
38 Steady Albania1
39 Steady Turkey1
40 Steady Bulgaria1
41 Steady Cameroon0
42 Steady Japan0
43 Steady Spain0
44 Steady Colombia0
45 Steady Russia0
46 Steady El Salvador0
47 Steady Bosnia and Herzegovina0
48 Steady Hong Kong0
49 Steady Solomon Islands0
50 Steady Vanuatu0
51 Steady Hungary0
52 Steady Latvia0
53 Steady Denmark0
54 Steady Belgium0
55 Steady Estonia0
56 Steady Sweden0
57 Steady Niue0
Complete rankings at
www.internationalrugbyleague.com

World Cup

World Cup Record World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position P W D L F A Pld W D L PF PA
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
Total 5/16Fifth place16709324370862032598

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within Ireland.

European Championship

European Championship record
Year Round Position GP W L D
1935–1996did 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
Year Round Position GP W L D
19991st Place1/32200
Total1/11 Title2200

This one-off tournament was contested by Ireland, Scotland and Wales.[39][40]

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.[41] Despite this announcement, Ireland have also subsequently used Morton Stadium in Santry as their home ground.[42]

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

RankAttendanceOpponentDateVenueMetro area
15,716Scotland1995-08-13RDS ArenaDublin[8]
25,021Australia2013-11-09Thomond ParkLimerick[15]
33,207Samoa2000-10-28Windsor ParkBelfast[43]
43,164New Zealand Maori2000-11-04Tolka ParkDublin[44]
53,100France2011-11-05Thomond ParkLimerick[45]

Ireland A

Ireland Wolfhounds logo

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

References

  1. ↑ "Ireland vs USA - Rugby League 1995". youtube. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Competitions". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Carney swaps codes with Munster". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "About". Dublin RL. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Rugby League Ireland". Rugby League Ireland. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "GETTING TO KNOW OUR WORLD CUP TEAMS". Leeds Rhinos. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Legacy: The Class of '95". Scotland RL. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 "Scotland vs. Ireland". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "1996 World Nines". RL Wales. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  10. ↑ "Caisley dismisses rugby league Home Nations championship". RTE. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Curtain falls on World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "Tonga 22-20 Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "Ireland 34-16 Samoa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Fiji 30-14 Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Rugby League World Cup 2013: Australia 50-0 Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  16. ↑ "Ireland 36-12 Italy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  17. ↑ "PNG scores thrilling win over Ireland sparking incredible scenes in Papua New Guinea". NewsComAu. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "Wales 6-34 Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  19. ↑ "World Cup organisers hoping for SBW to kick-off 2021 edition". National Rugby League. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Ged Corcoran named as new Ireland Rugby League head coach". RTE. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "Ireland are outclassed by New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup". the42. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  22. 1 2 "IRL MEMBERSHIP: IRELAND, ITALY, LEBANON, SCOTLAND RECLASSIFIED". INTRL. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  23. ↑ "Ireland and Kelly part ways". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "Stuart Littler appointed new Ireland rugby league coach". RTE. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Irish rugby leaguers to play Belgium at Carlisle Grounds". Irish Independent. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "IRELAND NAME STRONG SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Casey Dunne scores hat-trick of tries as late Ireland charge sees off Italy". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  28. ↑ "Ireland fire 10-try World Cup warning with win over Malta". Rugby League Planet. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  29. ↑ "Ireland face step up in class against the Reggae Warriors". Harpin on Rugby. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  30. ↑ "Hungary and Ireland announce squads for Budapest Test". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  31. ↑ "Ireland confirm departure of Stuart Littler as head coach ahead of World Cup". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  32. ↑ "Kerr to oversee new look Ireland team in Netherlands international". International Rugby League. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  33. ↑ "Rugby League: World Cup coaching duo reappointed". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  34. ↑ "Former Warriors trio earn Ireland call-ups for upcoming Tests with full squad announced". Wigantoday.net. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "Ireland". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  36. ↑ "Ireland". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  37. ↑ "Ireland". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  38. ↑ "Ireland". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  39. ↑ "Triangular Series 1999". rugbyleagueproject. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  40. ↑ "Sport: Rugby League Ireland make most of Eyres dismissal". BBC. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  41. ↑ "RL Ireland has a new home". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  42. ↑ "Super League stars feature in Ireland train-on squad". Total Rugby League. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  43. ↑ "Ireland vs. Samoa". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  44. ↑ "Ireland vs. New Zealand Maori". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  45. ↑ "Ireland vs. France". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
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