Wigan Warriors man named in long-haul Ireland squad for autumn Tests against Wales
Wigan Warriors prop Liam Byrne has been named in Ireland’s long-haul squad ahead of their two Test matches against Wales this autumn.
Ireland coach Ged Corcoran has named an initial 32-man long-haul squad, which will be shortened ahead of their first Test at The Gnoll in Neath on Saturday, October 25, and their second Test at the home of Featherstone Rovers on Saturday, November 1.
Byrne, who has made more than 150 appearances for Wigan since his first-team debut in 2019, could add to his seven Ireland caps this autumn. Former Wigan academy products Harry Rushton and Dec O’Donnell have also been called up.
Byrne, 26, was born and raised in Salford but is of Irish heritage through his father’s side of the family, who hail from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.
Byrne is among 15 Super League players who have been named in Ireland’s long-haul squad ahead of this autumn’s two Tests against Wales, with Aidan McGowan, Connor Carr, George King, Rushton (all Huddersfield), Ethan Ryan (Salford), Frankie Halton, Keanan Brand (both Leigh), Jake Thewlis, Joe Philbin, Josh Thewlis, Toby King (all Warrington), James Bentley, Tom Nicholson-Watton (both Leeds) and Louix Gorman (Hull KR) also named.
Ireland long haul squad: Aidan McGowan, Connor Carr, George King, Harry Rushton (all Huddersfield Giants), Aaron Lynch, Dan Lynch (both Swinton Lions), Brendan O’Hagan (The Entrance Tigers), Daniel Corcoran (Canterbury Bulldogs), Dec O’Donnell (Rochdale Hornets), Ethan O’Hanlon (Hunslet), Ethan Ryan (Salford Red Devils), Frankie Halton, Keanan Brand (both Leigh Leopards), Jake Thewlis, Joe Philbin, Josh Thewlis, Toby King (all Warrington Wolves), James Bentley, Tom Nicholson-Watton (both Leeds Rhinos), Jamie Gill, Joe Keyes, Ronan Michael (all Bradford Bulls), Lachlan Lanskey, Oliver Whitford (both Keighley Cougars), Lewis Bienek (London Broncos), Liam Byrne (Wigan Warriors), Louix Gorman (Hull KR), Lucas Castle (Workington Town), Martyn Reilly (Sheffield Eagles), Pat Moran, Riley Dean (both Oldham), Zack McComb (Halifax Panthers).
Irish elite pathways: Adam Quinn, Conor Mahan, Conor Meadows, Daire Kemp, Dominic Greene, Ethan White, Jay Reynolds, Ollie Francis, Oisin Carrol, Paddy White, Patrick Stapleton, Rua McNamara, Ryan Crawford, Ryan Hogg, Stephen Cahill.
Irish A team: Conlan Mawson, Daniel Coop, James Farrar, Lewis Wing, Liam O’Callaghan, Sam Winney, Tom Ashurst, Will Walker.
Under-16s and Under-18s: Austin Byrne, Isaac Baynham, Jack Brown, Jamie Coop, Josh Guynan, Kian Roberts, Liam O’Reilly, Matt Tootill, Tommy Rhodes.