IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS coach Sean Cody, who is celebrating having completed a double over Scotland Bravehearts in clashes between the respective ‘A’ teams, is keen to ensure next year’s Super League fixtures in Dublin will also help maximise interest in the domestic game in the Emerald Isles.

Wigan will take on Warrington and Hull FC will face St Helens at the redeveloped Laya Arena (the 20,000-capacity home of rugby union’s Leinster) in April.

Cody’s side backed up their 38-30 triumph in Edinburgh with a 30-16 win in the Dublin suburb of Westmanstown.

And talking to League Express, he asked: “Why should there not be an Irish team, or teams, involved as an opener? The only way we can grow the game here is by people seeing it.

Cody continued: “It’s a huge honour to not only coach this group but also to get the Wolfhounds back up and running after a bit of a hiatus.

“It’s something the club game here in Ireland has missed, so to be involved in restoring it has been great.

“I played for the Wolfhounds against Scotland in Ayr in, I think, 2013, so it was also a nice kind of full-circle moment for it to be against Scotland.

“One of the things we spoke about early on as a group was putting pride into representing the domestic game in Ireland and I think the boys really bought into that.

“We’ve had lads flying home from holidays, missing family events and travelling the length of the country, so the buy-in shows what it has meant to the players.

“The domestic scene in Ireland often goes unappreciated, so recognising it in some capacity is massive for us.

“Like most places competing against other rugby codes, we have our difficulties with organisation, playing numbers and referees, but the one thing you can’t fault is the incredible commitment of these lads and their clubs.

“We held open trials earlier this year for club players from each of the provinces, and invited anyone wanting to step up a level and have a chance to wear a green jersey.

“We had more than 50 involved on the day, all of whom went away hungry to go and prove themselves for their local clubs in order to be eligible to be picked.

“From that 50, we named a 26-man squad for the two Scotland games and I cannot tell you how difficult it was to narrow it down, let alone then trying to pick the team.

“Having the Wolfhounds back as a representative side gives players a clear and realistic pathway to step up and test themselves at that next level.

“If we want to grow the game and get more people playing I think it’s crucial to give guys and girls a way to do that.”