Ireland captain Terry O'Connor is aiming for his side to repeat their good form from last year's Rugby League World Cup for their game against France later this month. The Irish won all three group games and pushed England to the limit in the quarter finals. "It was important not to lose the momentum," admitted Wigan prop O'Connor. "If Ireland are successful, I definitely think we could have a Super League side in Dublin," he said.
"The disappointing thing is we haven't got a game in Ireland this year to kick on from where we left off. We generated quite bit of public interest over in Dublin. Hopefully, if get a good result over there, we'll get a game against England in Dublin next year," said O'Connor.
Ten players from the World Cup have been named in a 17-strong squad for the match against the French on June 26 in Albi. An 18th member will be selected after the weekend. Leeds and Great Britain winger or full-back Francis Cummins was the surprise inclusion in joint coaches Steve O'Neill and Andy Kelly's squad. Cummins was in England's original World Cup squad but withdrew through injury and qualifies for Ireland through the grandparental rule. Once he plays for Ireland, he will remain committed to them until after the next World Cup, scheduled for 2004. Halifax's Australian-born forward Shayne McMenemy, whose mother comes from Belfast, and St Helens utility back Anthony Stewart are the other debutantes.
Ireland will be without their three World Cup players from Australia's National Rugby League, Danny Williams, Luke Ricketson and Kevin Campion. However, Bradford centre Michael Withers, a former Australian Junior Player of the Year, has been selected and thus becomes eligible for Great Britain's Ashes Series in November.
Tommy Martyn (St Helens), Ryan Sheridan (Leeds), Gary Connolly (Wigan) and Michael Eagar (Castleford) have all been ruled out by injury, but the Irish team has been boosted by the return of forwards James Lowes (Bradford) and Mick Cassidy (Wigan).
"It's imperative that we win and we've got a great squad," added O'Connor.
"France will be very tough. I've played against them a number of times and always had it tough over there. They always get a big crowd in the south of France, where they love their rugby," said the Ireland captain.
Squad: D Bradbury (Leigh), L Bretherton (Leigh), B Carney (Wigan), M Cassidy (Wigan), F Cummins (Leeds), G Clinch (Halifax), T Jonkers (St Helens), C Joynt (St Helens), J Lawless (Halifax), J Lowes (Bradford), B McDermott (Leeds), S McMenemy (Halifax), T O'Connor (Wigan, capt), S Prescott (Hull), R Smyth (Warrington), A Stewart (St Helens), M Withers (Bradford).
Filed by Greg McKevitt
