O`Connor sounds rallying call
Ireland captain Terry O`Connor is looking for his side to pick up from where they left off in the World Cup when they take on France in Albi later this month.
Wednesday, 13 June 2001
The Irish were one of the successes of the 2000 tournament, winning all three group games and providing England with a stern test in the quarter-finals.
Ten survivors from that campaign have been named in a 17-strong squad for the match against the French on Tuesday, June 26. An 18th member will be selected after the weekend.
``It was important not to lose the momentum,`` admitted Wigan prop O`Connor. ``If Ireland are successful, I definitely think we could have a Super League side in Dublin.
``The disappointing thing is we haven`t got a game in Ireland this year to kick on from where we left off. We generated quite bit of public interest over in Dublin.
``Hopefully, if get a good result over there, we`ll get a game against England in Dublin next year.``
Leeds and Great Britain winger or full-back Francis Cummins was the surprise inclusion in the squad named by joint coaches Steve O`Neill and Andy Kelly.
Cummins was in England`s original World Cup squad but withdrew through injury and qualifies for Ireland through the grandparental rule.
Once he plays for Ireland, he will remain committed to them until after the next World Cup, scheduled for 2004.
Halifax`s Australian-born forward Shayne McMenemy, whose mother hails from Belfast, and St Helens utility back Anthony Stewart are the other newcomers.
Ireland will be without their three World Cup players from Australia`s National Rugby League, Danny Williams, Luke Ricketson and Kevin Campion.
But Bradford centre Michael Withers, a former Australian Junior Player of the Year, is selected and thus becomes eligible for Great Britain`s Ashes Series in November.
Tommy Martyn (St Helens), Ryan Sheridan (Leeds), Gary Connolly (Wigan) and Michael Eagar (Castleford) are all sidelined through injury, but the Irish are boosted by the return of forwards James Lowes (Bradford) and Mick Cassidy (Wigan).
``It`s imperative that we win and we`ve got a great squad,`` added O`Connor.
``France will be very tough. I`ve played against them a number of times and always had it tough over there. They always get a big crowd in the south of France, where they love their rugby.``
Squad: D Bradbury (Leigh), L Bretherton (Leigh), B Carney (Wigan), M Cassidy (Wigan), F Cummins (Leeds), G Clinch (Halifax), T Jonkers (St Helens), C Joynt (St Helens), J Lawless (Halifax), J Lowes (Bradford), B McDermott (Leeds), S McMenemy (Halifax), T O`Connor (Wigan, capt), S Prescott (Hull), R Smyth (Warrington), A Stewart (St Helens), M Withers (Bradford).
:: France, who lost 36-0 to New Zealand on Sunday, will host Scotland in Lezignan on Tuesday, July 3.
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