Rugby League World Cup 2013: Ireland name 24-man squad

Ireland coach Mark Aston has announced his 24-man squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

The squad includes 10 Super League and four Australia National Rugby League players, with the rest from the Championship and New South Wales Cup.

Wigan's Pat Richards and Catalan winger Damien Blanch are selected along with the Grix brothers, Simon and Scott.

Ireland open against Fiji on 28 October before facing England on 2 November and Australia seven days later.

From the NRL Brett White (Canberra Raiders), Rory Kostjasyn (North Queensland Cowboys), James Hasson (Manly Sea Eagles) and Api Pewhairangi (Parramatta Eels) have all been named in Aston's squad.

Nine players who competed for Ireland in the 2008 World Cup have been included.

The team will continue to be led by Featherstone Rovers scrum half Liam Finn, who was confirmed as captain in 2012.

"I am really pleased with the squad we have named, which is a combination of experience and younger up and coming players from both hemispheres," said Aston.

"I am confident that we are fully equipped to be competitive in what is a really tough group, and we are really looking forward to the challenge ahead against three of the best teams in the world."

Ireland squad: Dave Allen, Luke Ambler, Bob Beswick, Damien Blanch, Danny Bridge, Ben Currie, Liam Finn, Simon Finnigan, Scott Grix, Simon Grix, Kurt Haggerty, James Hasson, Rory Kostjasyn, Stuart Littler, Tyrone McCarthy, James Mendeika, Anthony Mullally, Eamon O'Carroll, Apirana Pewhairangi, Pat Richards, Colton Roche, Marc Sneyd, Joshua Toole, Brett White.