Former Hull and Hull KR fullback Shannon McDonnell has been named in Ireland’s initial 29-man squad for the 2014 European Championships, which get under way next weekend.
McDonnell, who broke his jaw during a short-term stint with St Helens five weeks ago, is hoping to recover in time to make his long-awaited Ireland debut, having missed out on both 2008 and 2013 World Cups through injury.
The squad includes eight of members of coach Mark Aston's 2013 World Cup squad in Bob Beswick, Luke Ambler, Stuart Littler, Matty Hadden, Josh Toole, Colton Roche, Danny Bridge and Apirana Pewhairangi.
Aston said: “I am delighted that we have eight of the World Cup panel returning for 2014 and 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 fixtures and I am sure that, with the squads which have been announced, this will be no different in 2014."
Ireland will begin their campaign against France at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on Saturday week.
Ireland squad: Matty Hadden (Antrim Eels), Casey Dunne (Athboy Longhorns), Michael Russell (Barnhall Butchers), Sean Hesketh (Batley), Wayne Kelly (Belfast Met Scholars), Hayden Peacock (Carcassone), Jobe Murphy (Dewsbury), Luke Ambler, Callum Casey (both Halifax), Elliot Cosgrove (Keighley), Robbie Mulhern (Leeds), Stuart Littler, Michael Platt, Bob Beswick, Gregg McNally (all Leigh), Josh Toole (North Sydney), Graham O’Keeffe, Callum Mulkeen (both Oxford), Apirana Pewhairangi (Parramatta), Sean Casey (Rochdale), Shannon McDonnell (St Helens), Lemeki Vaipulu, Brendan Guilfoyle (both Treaty City Titans), James Toole (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Will Hope (unattached), Danny Bridge (Warrington), Brad Hargreaves (Wigan St Patricks), Pat Smith, Colton Roche (both York).
