THE current Celtic Cup champions, having won the trophy in the last three seasons, the Irish will be going into the World Cup confident that they can at least reach the semi-finals. 

However, they will still be smarting after a heavy defeat to France in a friendly match in July and know they’ll need to up their game if they face the same team in the knockout stages this time around.

They, like most other sides in this World Cup, will be looking for a first win over England, and they’ll get their chance to try in the group stages with potentially a fully-fledged Super League side as a starting five.

The England match is their final one in the group stages and if they lose out to Wales, that one could be a must-win to take them into the semi-finals.

KEY PLAYERS

MEL GRIFFITH has performed wonders since signing for Wigan Warriors in 2024. She was first introduced to Wheelchair Rugby League when she attended a Try It session in Dublin in May 2023, less than a year after her spinal cord injury. Now, she’s a triple Celtic Cup winner and vice-captain of her country.

Despite not being a Super League player right now, Birmingham Hurricanes’ Peter Johnston is experienced at the highest level of the game. Ireland’s top try- and points-scorer, he can kick goals from almost any distance and can create tries out of nothing.

COACH

PHIL ROBERTS, player-coach of both Ireland and Wigan Warriors, started playing the sport in 2007 after seeing an early feature on the much-remembered Boots ‘n’ All on Sky Sports. 

Since taking over as coach, he has not only been a forerunner in bringing the sport into Ireland, but has coached Ireland to three Celtic Cup wins.

SQUAD

Toby Burton-Carter, Joe Calcott, Mel Griffith, Cian Horgan, Peter Johnston, Jack Mangan, Tom Martin, James McCarthy, Maurice Noonan, Phil Roberts, Orán Spain, Bledar Suxha.