The RFL

Former Wigan Warriors forward Mick Cassidy, who played for England in the 1995 World Cup, will bridge a 13-year gap when he represents Ireland in this year’s tournament in Australia.

The 35-year-old, who helped Barrow win promotion from National League Two this year, was named in Ireland coach Andy Kelly’s final 24-man squad, which has a blend of youth and experience.

There are three products of the Irish domestic league in Ross Barbour, Steve Gibbons and Wayne Kerr, and players with extensive engage Super League experience in Pat Richards, Simon Finnigan, Gareth Haggerty, Stuart Littler and Karl Fitzpatrick.

Kelly is also able to call on two players from Australia’s National Rugby League in 21-year-old Wests Tigers winger Shannon McDonnell and prop Brett White, who played for Melbourne in Sunday’s Grand Final defeat by Manly and was under consideration by the Kangaroos.

Ruled out through injury were Wigan prop Paul Prescott (back) and Warrington Wolves duo Chris Bridge (Achilles) and Simon Grix (shoulder), with Sheffield Eagles’ Ged Corcoran earning a late call-up.

Ireland have appointed a captaincy triumvirate, with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats full-back Scott Grix named as squad leader and Bob Beswick and Stuart Littler helping to spread the workload.

Kelly admitted White’s availability is a major boost as the Irish prepare to take on the might of Samoa and Tonga in their group.

“I was up very late last night watching the declaration of squads on the Rugby League World Cup website and that was where I saw that Brett White had not been chosen by the Kangaroos,” he said.

“We knew he had been named in their train-on squad but we were very happy to take him when the Australians decide not to select him.

“He is probably still licking his wounds a little after Melbourne’s defeat but I’ve no doubt that he’ll be looking forward to a great World Cup experience with us.

“It will be useful having an NRL prop forward on our side because we’re in the group with Samoa and Tonga.

“They’ll be formidable opposition but we’re confident that we can take them on. We won’t be named as favourites and if, as underdogs, we achieve a little bit more, that will do for us.”

Ireland open their campaign against Tonga in Parramatta on Monday October 27, and meet Samoa at the same venue on Wednesday November 5.

Ireland squad: Ross Barbour (Carlow Crusaders), Bob Beswick (Widnes), Damien Blanch (Wakefield), Mick Cassidy (Barrow), Ged Corcoran (Sheffield), Lee Doran (Leigh), Liam Finn (Dewsbury), Simon Finnigan (Bradford), Karl Fitzpatrick (Salford), Steve Gibbons (London Skolars), Sean Gleeson (Wakefield), Scott Grix (Wakefield), Gareth Haggerty (Harlequins), Ben Harrison (Warrington), Graham Holroyd (Halifax), Wayne Kerr (London Skolars), Stuart Littler (Salford), Shannon McDonnell (Wests Tigers), Michael McIlorum (Wigan), Eamon O’Carroll (Wigan), Michael Platt (Bradford), Pat Richards (Wigan), Ryan Tandy (Wests Tigers), Brett White (Melbourne Storm).

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