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Ireland national rugby league team

{{Short description|Represents Ireland in international rugby league}}

{{distinguish|Ireland national rugby union team}}

{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}

{{Infobox rugby league representative team

| 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 = 18

| 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= {{rl|Ireland}} 24–22 {{rl-rt|USA}}
(RFK Stadium, Washington DC, 17 March 1995){{cite web |title=Ireland vs USA - Rugby League 1995 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99alkimgzlE |website=youtube |access-date=6 March 2021}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}{{cite web |title=Rugby League Ireland |url=https://www.rli.ie/about/ |website=Rugby League Ireland |access-date=16 April 2021}}

| Largest win = {{rl|Ireland}} 82–0 {{rl-rt|Serbia}}
(Tullamore, Ireland; 18 October 2009)

| Largest loss = {{flagicon|England}} England Knights 62–4 {{rl-rt|Ireland}}
(St Helens, England;16 June 2012)
{{rl|Russia}} 64–6 {{rl-rt|Ireland}}
(Moscow, Russia;16 May 2004)

| World cup apps = 5

| World cup first = 2000

| World cup best = Quarterfinals (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.{{cite web |title=Competitions |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/ireland/comps.html |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=5 March 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.{{cite web |title=Carney swaps codes with Munster |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/6456861.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 March 2021}}

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.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.dublinrl.com/about |website=Dublin RL |access-date=5 March 2021}} 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.{{cite web |title=GETTING TO KNOW OUR WORLD CUP TEAMS |url=https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2020/07/21/getting-to-know-our-world-cup-teams-2/ |website=Leeds Rhinos |access-date=5 March 2021}} 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.{{cite web |title=Legacy: The Class of ‘95 |url=https://www.scotlandrl.com/2020/08/14/the-legacy-of-the-class-of-95/#:~:text=The%20Stena%20Sealink%20Challenge%20vs,a%20ghost%20try%20from%20Douglas). |website=Scotland RL |access-date=5 March 2021}} The matches were played before an attendance of 5,716, a record for an international rugby league match on Irish soil.{{cite web |title=Scotland vs. Ireland |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/dates/13-august-1995/scotland-vs-ireland.html |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=5 March 2021}} 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.{{cite web |title=1996 World Nines |url=https://rugbyleague.wales/1996-world-nines |website=RL Wales |access-date=6 March 2021}}

=Flags and anthems=

File:Four Provinces Flag.svg

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,{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} in addition to Ireland's Call when playing at home.

= 1995 Emerging Nations Tournament =

{{See also|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.{{cite web |title=Caisley dismisses rugby league Home Nations championship |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2000/1121/152703-rugbyleague/ |website=RTE |access-date=6 March 2021}} Coached by Terry Flanagan, Ireland's squad included professionals Des Foy and Martin Crompton in an otherwise domestic based squad.

=2000 World Cup=

{{further|2000 Rugby League 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.{{cite web |title=Curtain falls on World Cup |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/world_cup_2000/1040510.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2021}}

=2008 World Cup=

{{See also|2008 Rugby League 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.

File:Ireland 2008 RLWC.jpg.]]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.{{cite web |title=Tonga 22-20 Ireland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7688663.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=Ireland 34-16 Samoa |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7705020.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2021}} As the group winners, they played Fiji, winners of Group B, for a chance to qualify for the semi-final.{{cite web |title=Fiji 30-14 Ireland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7712682.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2021}} Fiji won 30–14 eliminating Ireland.

=2013 World Cup =

{{See also|2013 Rugby League World Cup}}File:England v Ireland 2013 RLWC (3).jpgFor 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.{{cite web |title=Rugby League World Cup 2013: Australia 50-0 Ireland |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/24876119 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2021}}

=2017 World Cup=

{{See also|2017 Rugby League 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.{{Cite news|title=Ireland 36-12 Italy|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41781248|access-date=2020-08-20}}{{Cite web|date=2017-11-05|title=PNG scores thrilling win over Ireland sparking incredible scenes in Papua New Guinea|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/world-cup/png-scores-thrilling-win-over-ireland-sparking-incredible-scenes-in-papua-new-guinea/news-story/7438e1a31023a16bdd3f9635ff2e6e8d|access-date=2020-08-20|website=NewsComAu|language=en}}{{Cite news|title=Wales 6-34 Ireland|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41954802|access-date=2020-08-20}}

= 2021 World Cup =

{{See also|2021 Men's Rugby League 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.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-16|title=World Cup organisers hoping for SBW to kick-off 2021 edition|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/01/17/world-cup-organisers-hoping-for-sbw-to-kick-off-2021-edition/|access-date=2020-07-27|website=National Rugby League|language=en}} 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.{{cite web |title=Ireland are outclassed by New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup |url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-new-zealand-22-5906306-Oct2022/ |website=the42 |access-date=30 October 2022}}

= 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.{{cite web |title=IRL MEMBERSHIP: IRELAND, ITALY, LEBANON, SCOTLAND RECLASSIFIED |url=https://www.intrl.sport/article/131/irl-membership-ireland,-italy,-lebanon,-scotland-reclassified |website=INTRL |access-date=23 July 2024}} This decision also made Ireland ineligible to participate in qualifiers for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

Coaches

Updated as of 30 October 2024

class="wikitable sortable style=text-align:center width:99%;"
Name

!Tenure

!Matches

!Won

!Drawn

!Lost

!Win %

!Championships/Notes

{{Flagicon|ENG}} Terry Flanagan1995–19966402{{#expr:4/6*100 round 2}}%
{{Flagicon|ENG}} Steve O'Neill1997–2001*10613{{#expr:6/10*100 round 2}}%Triangular Series
{{Flagicon|ENG}} Daryl Powell2003–20059504{{#expr:5/9*100 round 2}}%
{{Flagicon|ENG}} Andy Kelly{{cite web |title=Ireland and Kelly part ways |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/15320/6814604/ireland-and-kelly-part-ways |website=Sky Sports |access-date=7 August 2022}}2006–201014527{{#expr:5/14*100 round 2}}%
{{Flagicon|ENG}} Mark Aston{{cite web |title=Stuart Littler appointed new Ireland rugby league coach |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2018/0913/993622-stuart-littler-appointed-new-ireland-rugby-league-coach/ |website=RTE |access-date=9 August 2022}}2011–2017208012{{#expr:8/20*100 round 2}}%
{{flagicon|Ireland|rugby league}} Carl De Chenu†July – September 2015{{cite web |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}}{{cite web |title=IRELAND NAME STRONG SQUAD FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP |url=https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/1161/ireland-name-strong-squad-for-european-championship |website=European Rugby League |access-date=8 August 2022}}
September – October 2016{{cite web |title=Casey Dunne scores hat-trick of tries as late Ireland charge sees off Italy |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/10565639/casey-dunne-scores-hat-trick-of-tries-as-late-ireland-charge-sees-off-italy |website=Sky Sports |access-date=8 August 2022}}{{cite web |title=Ireland fire 10-try World Cup warning with win over Malta |url=https://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/2016/10/10/ireland-fire-10-try-world-cup-warning-with-win-over-malta/ |website=Rugby League Planet |access-date=8 August 2022}}{{cite web |title=Ireland face step up in class against the Reggae Warriors |url=http://www.harpinonrugby.net/2016/10/ireland-face-step-up-in-class-against.html |website=Harpin on Rugby |access-date=8 August 2022}}
June 2018{{cite web |title=Hungary and Ireland announce squads for Budapest Test |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hungary-and-ireland-announce-squads-for-budapest-test/ |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=8 August 2022}}		7601{{#expr:6/7*100 round 2}}%
{{flagicon|Ireland|rugby league}} Stuart Littler{{cite web |title=Ged Corcoran named as new Ireland Rugby League head coach |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2022/0411/1291772-ged-corcoran-named-as-new-ireland-rugby-league-coach/ |website=RTE |access-date=11 April 2022}}{{cite web |title=Ireland confirm departure of Stuart Littler as head coach ahead of World Cup |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ireland-confirm-departure-of-stuart-littler-as-head-coach-ahead-of-world-cup/ |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=11 April 2022}}2018–20225302{{#expr:3/5*100 round 2}}%
{{flagicon|Ireland|rugby league}} Ged Corcoran20223102{{#expr:1/3*100 round 2}}%
{{flagicon|Ireland|rugby league}} Wayne Kerr{{cite web |title=Kerr to oversee new look Ireland team in Netherlands international |url=https://intrl.sport/article/259/kerr-to-oversee-new-look-ireland-team-in-netherlands-international |website=International Rugby League |access-date=8 October 2024}}20242200{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%
Total || 1995– || 76 || 40 || 3 || 33 || {{#expr:40/76*100 round 2}}% || {{n/a}}
colspan="8" style="text-align: left;font-size:90%" |  *Andy Kelly and Steve O'Neill were considered joint coaches during the 2000 World Cup and for Ireland's 2001 test with France.{{cite web |title=Rugby League: World Cup coaching duo reappointed |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-30011829.html |website=Irish Examiner |access-date=7 August 2022}}
colspan="8" style="text-align: left;font-size:90%" |  †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 24-man national team squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup was announced on 29 September 2022.{{cite web |title=Ireland’s 24-man Rugby League World Cup 2021 squad |url=https://www.rli.ie/2022/09/29/ire-men-rlwc21-squad-announced/ |website=RLI |access-date=29 September 2022}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:60%;text-align:left"
style="width:75px;"| Player

! style="width:10px;"|Caps

! style="width:10px;"|Points

! style="width:100px;"|Club

{{sortname|James|Bentley|dab=rugby league}}812{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Leeds Rhinos|15}} Leeds Rhinos
{{sortname|Keanan|Brand}}00{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Leigh|15}} Leigh Leopards
{{sortname|Liam|Byrne|dab=rugby league}}70{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Wigan Warriors|15}} Wigan Warriors
{{sortname|Ed|Chamberlain}}614{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Leigh|15}} Leigh Leopards
{{sortname|Josh|Cook|dab=rugby league}}30{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Canterbury Bulldogs|15}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
{{sortname|Frankie|Halton}}54{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Hull KR|15}} Hull Kingston Rovers
{{sortname|James|Hasson}}98{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|South Sydney Rabbitohs|15}} South Sydney Rabbitohs
{{sortname|Jaimin|Jolliffe}}20{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans|15}} Gold Coast Titans
{{sortname|Luke|Keary}}30{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|15}} Sydney Roosters
{{sortname|Joe|Keyes|dab=rugby league}}1111{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Halifax|15}} Halifax Panthers
{{sortname|George|King|dab=rugby league}} (c)1324{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Hull KR|15}} Hull Kingston Rovers
{{sortname|Toby|King|dab=rugby league}}48{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Wigan Warriors|15}} Wigan Warriors
{{sortname|Ben|Mathiou}}00{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Featherstone Rovers|15}} Featherstone Rovers
{{sortname|James|McDonnell|dab=rugby league}}14{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Wigan Warriors|15}} Wigan Warriors
{{sortname|Ronan|Michael}}60{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|York rlfc|15}} York Knights
{{sortname|Robbie|Mulhern}}50{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Warrington Wolves|15}} Warrington Wolves
{{sortname|Richie|Myler}}30{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Leeds Rhinos|15}} Leeds Rhinos
{{sortname|Dan|Norman|dab=rugby league}}10{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|St Helens|15}} St Helens
{{sortname|Brendan|O'Hagan}}34{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|York rlfc|15}} York Knights
{{sortname|Henry|O'Kane}}10{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|15}} Wests Tigers
{{sortname|Harry|Rushton}}30{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Canberra Raiders|15}} Canberra Raiders
{{sortname|Innes|Senior}}34{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Huddersfield|15}} Huddersfield Giants
{{sortname|Louis|Senior}}324{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Hull KR|15}} Hull Kingston Rovers
{{sortname|Michael|Ward|dab=rugby league}}50{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Batley Bulldogs|15}} Batley Bulldogs

Individual Records

Statistics are up to date as of 30 October 2022.{{cite web |title=Ireland |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/ireland/players.html?pos=&ord=app |website=rugbyleagueproject |access-date=16 November 2019}}{{cite web |title=Ireland |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/ireland/players.html?pos=&ord=t |website=rugbyleagueproject |access-date=23 November 2019}}{{cite web |title=Ireland |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/ireland/players.html?pos=&ord=points |website=rugbyleagueproject |access-date=23 November 2019}} Bold indicates current player.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! colspan="6"| Most caps

style="width:15px;"|Rank

!style="width:15px;"|Name

!style="width:15px;"|Career

!style="width:15px;"|Caps

!style="width:15px;"|Tries

!style="width:15px;"|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

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! colspan="6"| Most tries

style="width:15px;"|Rank

!style="width:15px;"|Name

!style="width:15px;"|Career

!style="width:15px;"|Caps

!style="width:15px;"|Tries

!style="width:15px;"|Position

1

|Stuart Littler

|2004–16

|21

|13

|FB

2

|Casey Dunne

|2014–18

|13

|12

|FB

rowspan="3" |3

|Damien Blanch

|2006–13

|9

|9

|WG

Phil Cantillon

|2003–06

|7

|9

|HK

Karl Fitzpatrick

|2003–09

|13

|9

|FB

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! colspan="7"| Most points

style="width:15px;"|Rank

!style="width:15px;"|Name

!style="width:15px;"|Career

!style="width:15px;"|Caps

!style="width:15px;"|Tries

!style="width:15px;"|Points

!style="width:15px;"|Position

1

|Liam Finn

|2007–18

|32

|8

|170

|SO

rowspan="2" |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

{{col-end}}

Competitive records

{{main|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 27 October 2024

{{cite web |title=Ireland |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/ireland/head2head.html |website=rugbyleagueproject |access-date=16 October 2022}}

class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
style="width:100px;"| Against

! style="width:30px;"| Played

! style="width:30px;"| Won

! style="width:30px;"| Drawn

! style="width:30px;"| Lost

! style="width:30px;"| Win %

! style="width:30px;"| For

! style="width:30px;"| Aga

! style="width:30px;"| Diff

style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|AUS}}1001{{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}}%050–50
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|BEL}}1100{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%340+34
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|COK}}1001{{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}}%622–16
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|ENG}}3003{{#expr:0/3*100 round 2}}%28104–76
style="text-align:left;"| {{Flagicon|ENG}} England Knights2002{{#expr:0/2*100 round 2}}%8118–110
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|FIJ}}2002{{#expr:0/2*100 round 2}}%2862–34
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|FRA}}9117{{#expr:1/9*100 round 2}}%172295–123
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|HUN}}1100{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%700+70
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|ITA}}3300{{#expr:3/3*100 round 2}}%12142+79
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|JAM}}2101{{#expr:1/2*100 round 2}}%6470–6
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|Lebanon}}4022{{#expr:0/4*100 round 2}}%64106–42
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|Malta}}2200{{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}%9232+60
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|Moldova}}1100{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%4826+22
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|Morocco}}1100{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%426+36
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|New Zealand}}1001{{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}}%1048–38
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|New Zealand Māori}}1100{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%3016+14
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|NED}}1100{{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}%3028+2
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|Papua New Guinea}}1001{{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}}%614–8
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|RUS}}4301{{#expr:3/4*100 round 2}}%184110+74
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|SAM}}2200{{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}%6432+32
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|SCO}}151104{{#expr:11/15*100 round 2}}%335261+74
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|SER}}2200{{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}%10616+90
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|SPA}}2200{{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}%8814+74
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|TON}}1001{{#expr:0/1*100 round 2}}%2022–2
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|USA}}3300{{#expr:3/3*100 round 2}}%11250+62
style="text-align:left;"| {{rl|WAL}}10406{{#expr:4/10*100 round 2}}%199253–54
class="sortbottom"

! Total

7640333{{#expr:40/76*100 round 2}}%1,9611,797+164

IRL Rankings

{{RLIF World Rankings|Ireland}}

=World Cup=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan="9"|World Cup Record

!rowspan="20"|

!colspan="6"|World Cup qualification record

Year

!Round

!Position

!{{Tooltip|P|Games played}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|F|Points for}}

!{{Tooltip|A|Points against}}

!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}

!{{Tooltip|PF|Points for}}

!{{Tooltip|PA|Points against}}

{{flagicon|France}} 1954

|rowspan="11" colspan="8"|Did not enter

|rowspan="11" colspan="6"|Did not enter

{{flagicon|Australia}} 1957
{{flagicon|England}} 1960
{{flagicon|Australia}}{{flagicon|New Zealand}} 1968
{{flagicon|England}} 1970
{{flagicon|France}} 1972
1975
{{flagicon|Australia}}{{flagicon|New Zealand}} 1977
1985–88
1989–92
{{flagicon|England}} 1995
style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|England}} {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby league}} {{flagicon|France}}{{flagicon|Scotland}}{{flagicon|Wales}} 2000

| Quarter-finals

| Fifth place

| 4

| 3

| 0

| 1

| 94

| 64

| colspan="6"|Qualified as co-hosts

{{flagicon|Australia}} 2008

| Semi-final qualifier

| Fifth place

| 3

| 1

| 0

| 2

| 68

| 68

| 4

| 2

| 2

| 0

| 142

| 64

{{flagicon|England}}{{flagicon|Wales}}2013

| Group stage

| 14th

| 3

| 0

| 0

| 3

| 14

| 124

| colspan="6"|Automatic qualifier

{{flagicon|Australia}}{{flagicon|New Zealand}}{{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}} 2017

| Group stage

| 9th

| 3

| 2

| 0

| 1

| 76

| 32

| 2

| 2

| 0

| 0

| 116

| 22

{{flagicon|England}} 2021

| Group stage

| 9th

| 3

| 1

| 0

| 2

| 72

| 82

|2

|2

|0

|0

|67

|12

{{flagicon|Australia}} 2026

| colspan="8" |Ineligible to participate in qualifiers

| colspan="6" |Ineligible to participate in qualifiers

Total

! 5/16

Fifth place16709324370862032598

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

=European Championship=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan=9|European Championship record
width=150 |Year

! width=150 |Round

! width=50 colspan=2 |Position

! width=50 |GP

! width=50 |W

! width=50 |L

! width=50 |D

1935–1996colspan=7| did not enter
2003Group Stagecolspan=2|3/32110
2004style="background:Silver;"| Second Placecolspan=2|2/63210
|2005Group Stagecolspan=2|2/32110
2009Fourth Placecolspan=2|4/63120
|2010Fourth Placecolspan=2|4/43030
2012style="background:Silver;"|Second Placecolspan=2|2/32110
2014style="background:Bronze;"|Third Placecolspan=2|3/43210
|2015style="background:Bronze;"|Third Placecolspan=2|3/43120
|2018style="background:Bronze;"|Third Placecolspan=2|3/43120
Total0 Titlescolspan=2|9/332410140

=Triangular Series=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan=9|Triangular Series Record
width=150 |Year

! width=150 |Round

! width=50 |Position

! width=50 |GP

! width=50 |W

! width=50 |L

! width=50 |D

|1999style="background:Gold;"|1st Place1/32200
Total1/11 Title2200

This one-off tournament was contested by Ireland, Scotland and Wales.{{cite web |title=Triangular Series 1999 |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/triangular-series-1999/summary.html |website=rugbyleagueproject |access-date=11 November 2019}}{{cite web |title=Sport: Rugby League Ireland make most of Eyres dismissal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/rugby_league/476300.stm |website=BBC |access-date=5 March 2021}}

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.{{cite web |title=RL Ireland has a new home |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl-ireland-has-a-new-home/ |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=6 March 2021}} Despite this announcement, Ireland have also subsequently used Morton Stadium in Santry as their home ground.{{cite web |title=Super League stars feature in Ireland train-on squad |url=https://www.totalrl.com/super-league-stars-feature-in-ireland-train-on-squad/ |website=Total Rugby League |access-date=6 March 2021}}

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

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
RankAttendanceOpponentwidth=90 | DateVenueMetro area
15,716Scotland1995-08-13RDS ArenaDublin
25,021Australia2013-11-09Thomond ParkLimerick
33,207Samoa2000-10-28Windsor ParkBelfast{{cite web |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}}
43,164New Zealand Maori2000-11-04Tolka ParkDublin{{cite web |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}}
53,100France2011-11-05Thomond ParkLimerick{{cite web |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|Ireland A national rugby league team}}

File:Wolfhounds logo.jpg

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

{{Portal|Sports}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category|Ireland national rugby league team}}

  • [http://www.rli.ie Home page of Rugby League Ireland]
  • [https://europeanrugbyleague.com/teams/7 Ireland]: European Rugby League

{{Rugby League in Ireland}}

{{Rugby League in Europe}}

{{International Rugby League}}

{{National sports teams of Ireland}}

{{Rugby League European Cup seasons}}

Category:National rugby league teams

Rugby league