Ireland Head Coach Mark Aston has announced a 29-man train-on squad for the 2014 Rugby League European Championship, during which the Wolfhounds will face France, Scotland and Wales.
The squad includes eight of 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad; Bob Beswick, Luke Ambler, Stuart Littler, Matty Hadden, Josh Toole, Colton Roche, Danny Bridge and Apirana Pewhairangi.
Also selected are seven members of the Ireland Amateur team who won the Celtic Nations Cup against Scotland and Wales in August, among 13 debutants including Leeds Rhinos prop Robbie Mulhern
From the domestic competition Hadden is joined by Brendan Guilfoyle, Lemeki Vaipulu, Wayne Kelly, Mikey Russell, and Casey Dunne while former Treaty City Titans forward Graham O’Keeffe has also received the nod from Aston.
Meanwhile St Helens’ fullback Shannon McDonnell could make his long awaited debut for Ireland having missed out on both the 2008 and 2013 World Cups through injury.
Speaking on the announcement Aston said: “I am delighted that we have been able to add a number of new players into the system.”
“The fixtures against France, Scotland and Wales are always exciting especially with the added incentive of 2016 Four Nations qualification for the winners.”
Ireland will host both of their home matches at the Tallaght Stadium, Dublin against France on 18th October and Scotland a week later. They will then face Wales in Wrexham on the 2nd November.
Ireland Train On Squad:
| Name | Club | Position | Caps |
| Matty Hadden | Antrim Eels | Prop | 2 |
| Casey Dunne | Athboy Longhorns | Wing | 0 |
| Michael Russell | Barnhall Butchers | Hooker | 0 |
| Sean Hesketh | Batley Bulldogs | Prop | 7 |
| Wayne Kelly | Belfast Met Scholars | Hooker | 0 |
| Hayden Peacock | Carcassone | Second Row | 0 |
| Jobe Murphy | Dewsbury Rams | Second Row | 0 |
| Luke Ambler | Halifax RLFC | Prop | 11 |
| Callum Casey | Halifax RLFC | Loose Forward | 4 |
| Elliot Cosgrove | Keighley Cougars | Wing | 5 |
| Robbie Mulhern | Leeds Rhinos | Prop | 0 |
| Stuart Littler | Leigh Centurions | Centre | 17 |
| Michael Platt | Leigh Centurions | Centre | 5 |
| Bob Beswick | Leigh Centurions | Hooker | 18 |
| Gregg McNally | Leigh Centurions | Fullback | 7 |
| Josh Toole | North Sydney Bears | Centre | 3 |
| Graham O’Keeffe | Oxford RLFC | Centre | 0 |
| Callum Mulkeen | Oxford RLFC | Centre | 0 |
| Apirana Pewhairangi | Parramatta Eels | Stand Off | 2 |
| Sean Casey | Rochdale Hornets | Scrum Half | 0 |
| Shannon McDonnell | St Helens RLFC | Fullback | 0 |
| Lemeki Vaipulu | Treaty City Titans | Second Row | 1 |
| Brendan Guilfoyle | Treaty City Titans | Prop | 2 |
| James Toole | Tweed Heads Seagulls | Stand Off | 0 |
| Will Hope | Unattached | Second Row | 0 |
| Danny Bridge | Warrington Wolves | Second Row | 1 |
| Brad Hargreaves | Wign St Patricks | Wing | 0 |
| Pat Smith | York City Knights | Scrum Half | 1 |
| Colton Roche | York City Knights | Prop | 2 |
