The inaugural men’s Celtic Cup will kick off on Saturday 17 October, when Scotland take on Ireland in a senior international for world ranking points at Hawick RFC (kick off 3pm, local time).
Six players are in line to make their debuts for the Bravehearts, with Goole Vikings’ Morgan Punchard, Connor McGuinness from Huddersfield Giants, Jacob Walker, Tom Glover, Warrington’s Max Blackie and Ross Ainley from Whitehaven all hoping for the call.
Scotland head coach, Adam Houston, noted: “There are a number of new faces many of whom have come through the pathways in the last couple of years. We’re still very much in a rebuilding and developing phase, but with the next major goal being the 2030 World Cup, games like these are vital to keep progressing as a team.
“We hope to continue building momentum following the win against Canada in July. We’re confident in our ability to produce performances and of moving up the rankings again.”
George King will captain Ireland who can call on five potential debutants in Leigh’s Bobby Barton, Daniel and Jamie Coop from Warrington, Hull KR’s Kian Roberts and Billy Tait of Goole in a squad which also contains three players from the Irish domestic competition.
Ireland head coach, Ged Corcoran, said: “As we return to the international stage, we do so with a clear purpose of developing young talent, and all of those selected for the Celtic Cup are either proud Irishmen by birth or deep-rooted heritage connections to the country.”
A curtain raiser between Scotland ‘A’ and South of England community side takes place at 12pm.
Scotland (squad): Max ANDERSON-MOORE (Barrow Island), Charlie EMSLIE (Barrow Raiders), Roserutabua TAWANAYAVULALA (Edinburgh Eagles), Morgan PUNCHARD (Goole Vikings), Connor MCGUINNESS (Huddersfield Giants), Cameron CULLEN, Oliver MAHER (Leeds Beckett University), Ben MORRIS (Newcastle Lightning), Conner TERRILL (North Wales Crusaders), Ross WHITMORE (Rochdale Hornets), Jacob WALKER (Seaton Rangers), Jacob GRIERSON (Siddal), Tom GRAY (Skirlaugh), Tom GLOVER (St Helens), Brett CARTER, Joseph LOWE, Kieran MORAN (Unattached), Max BLACKIE (Warrington Wolves)
Ireland (squad): Michael WARD (Batley Bulldogs), James FARRAR, Ryan HOGG (Dublin City Exiles), Kyle BARRETT (Galway Tribesmen), Bailey TAIT (Goole Vikings), George HILL (Huddersfield Giants), Declan O'DONNELL, Kian ROBERTS (Hull KR), Lachlan LANSKEY (Keighley Cougars), Bobby BARTON (Leigh Leopards), Oisin CARROLL (Longhorns), Aidan MCGOWAN (Midlands Hurricanes), Patrick MORAN (North Wales Crusaders), Oliver WHITFORD (Rochdale Hornets), Dan LYNCH (Salford RLFC), Aaron LYNCH (Swinton Lions), Lewis WING (Unattached), Daniel COOP, Jamie COOP (Warrington Wolves)