Ireland Rugby League Senior Squad Announced to take on England Knights

Ireland Head Coach Mark Aston has today unveiled his 19 man squad which will take on the England Knights at Langtree Park on Saturday 16th June.

Aston’s squad includes six home grown players in the form of Wayne Kerr, Joe Taylor, Paddy Barcoe Ian Cross, Aaron McCloskey and Adam Hughes who has been included in a senior squad for the first time.

The inclusion of Taylor, Barcoe and Hughes means that the Dublin City Exiles have three players in the squad.

Aston has included a further six uncapped players in his squad including Widnes Viking Kurt Haggerty as well as Leeds Rhinos Academy Starlet Sean Casey who follows in the footsteps of his father Leo Casey and brother Callum Casey who have both represented Ireland previously.

Another Widnes man Dave Allen returns to the squad having played in the 2008 World Cup in Australia while Warrington Wolves back row Tyrone McCarthy is also recalled for the game.

Liam Finn is set to captain the side for the fourth time since taking over that mantle last year.

The game will be used by Aston to look at his options ahead of the squads international series in the winter.

Ireland Squad: (-v- England Knights, June 16th, 16:45 Langtree Park, St Helens)

Wayne Kerr (Country Cowboys), Elliott Cosgrove (Dewsbury Rams) Adam Hughes*, Joseph A Taylor, Paddy Barcoe (All Dublin City Exiles), Liam Finn, Michael Haley (both Featherstone Rovers), Sean Casey* (Leeds Rhinos), Jamie O’Callaghan (London Broncos), Path Smith (Sheffield Eagles), Aaron McCloskey, Ian Cross (both St Helens), Danny Bridge*, James Mendicka*, Tyrone McCarthy (All Warrington Wolves), Anthony Mullally*, Dave Allen, Kurt Haggerty* (All Widnes Vikings), John O’Donnell* (Wigan Warriors)

* Denotes Uncapped Player