Ireland national wheelchair rugby league team

Last updated

Ireland
Ireland wheelchair rugby league.jpeg
Team information
Governing body Rugby League Ireland
Region Europe
Head coachPhil Roberts [1]
IRL ranking 3 Steady2.svg (21 July 2025) [2]
Team results
First international
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 2013 )
Best result5th, 2013

The Ireland national wheelchair rugby league team represents Ireland in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships, the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

Contents

History

In July 2012 Ireland took part their first international competition, the Four Nations, a round-robin tournament between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. [3] [4] The tournament was held as part of preparations for the world cup taking place the following year. [5] At the 2013 World Cup Ireland lost their matches against Wales and England. A win against Scotland was not enough to progress to the semi-finals, but they defeated Scotland in a play-off to take fifth place. [6] Ireland finished second at the 2014 Four Nations. [7] In 2015 Ireland played Scotland in the first Celtic Cup which was contested over two matches [8] but became an annual three-team round-robin with the addition of Wales in 2016. [9] [10] At the 2015 European Championships their only group stage win was against Wales, but with a play-off win over Scotland they took third place in the tournament. [11] [12] In 2016 Ireland were unable to travel with a full team for the Four Nations so their place was filled by a mixed team of Irish, Welsh and English players known as the Exiles. [13] At the 2021 World Cup Ireland were not initially selected to take part but were brought in to replace Norway who had withdrawn from the tournament. [14] Ireland were knocked out at the group stage after losses to Spain and Australia [15] before suffering a record defeat (0–121) in their final match against England. [16] In June 2024, the Celtic Cup was played in Galway. This was the first time the tournament had been played in Ireland and it was won by the hosts who won both of their matches. [17] [18] In 2025, Ireland retained the Celtic Cup and set a new record for their largest win with a 92–20 victory over Scotland. [19]

Squad

Wales squad for 2025 Celtic Cup
First team squadCoaching staff

Head coach

  • Phil Roberts


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 25 May 2025
Source(s): [1]

Competitive record

World Cup

World Cup Record
YearFinish
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2008 Did not enter
Flag of England.svg 2013 5th
Flag of France.svg 2017 Did not enter
Flag of England.svg 2021 Group stage

Celtic Cup

Celtic Cup results by year: Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland
Opponent \ Year20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland W-WDWWL–WWWWW
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales xLLLL–LLDWW
Finish:12223–22211
Source: [20] [21]
Notes:
  • 2015: Wales did not take part – Ireland and Scotland played each other twice
  • 2020: The tournament was cancelled in 2020 [22]

Results

DateScore [a] OpponentCompetitionRef.
7 July 201212–34Flag of England.svg  England 2012 Four Nations [23]
7 July 20124–44Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [24]
8 July 201214–8Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [25]
3 July 20136–104Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2013 World Cup Group stage [6]
6 July 20136–36Flag of England.svg  England [6]
9 July 201326–6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [6]
13 July 201336–14Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2013 World Cup 5th place play-off [6]
13 September 201458–10Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2014 Four Nations [7]
14 September 20142–54Flag of England.svg  England
14 September 201460–10Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [26]
18 April 201552–28Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2015 Celtic Cup [27]
25 May 201580–48Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [8]
9 August 201546–29Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Friendly [11]
24 September 201516–32Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2015 European Championship [28]
24 September 20158–100Flag of France.svg  France [29]
25 September 201516–66Flag of England.svg  England [30]
26 September 201546–36Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [11]
26 September 201520–16Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2015 European Championship 3rd place play-off [28]
30 April 201626–76Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2016 Celtic Cup [31]
30 April 201658–58Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [32] [33]
29 April 201726–16Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2017 Celtic Cup [34]
29 April 20176–51Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [35]
28 April 201868–36Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2018 Celtic Cup [36]
28 April 201830–84Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [37]
27 April 20198–109Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2019 Celtic Cup [38]
27 April 201942–52Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [39]
12 June 202152–32Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2021 Celtic Cup [40]
12 June 202116–96Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [41]
16 October 202148–62Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Friendly [41]
7 May 202222–64Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2022 Celtic Cup [42]
7 May 202238–35Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland [43]
18 June 202252–22Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Friendly [43]
8 October 202252–67Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Friendly [42]
3 November 202232–55Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2021 World Cup Group stage [44]
6 November 202218–76Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia [45]
9 November 20220–121Flag of England.svg  England [16]
18 June 202358–24Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2023 Celtic Cup [46]
18 June 202330–30Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [47]
8 June 202468–34Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2024 Celtic Cup [48] [49]
8 June 202468–32Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [50] [18]
21 November 202420–62Flag of France.svg  France Friendly [51]
24 May 202592–20Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 2025 Celtic Cup [52]
24 May 202566–10Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales [53]

Records and rankings

IRL Wheelchair World Rankings
Official rankings as of July 2025
RankChangeTeamPts %
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 100
2Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 96
3Steady2.svgFour Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland 60
4Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 52
5Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 49
6Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 41
7Steady2.svgFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 27
8Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25
9Increase2.svg 1Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0
Complete rankings at
www.internationalrugbyleague.com
Ireland historical IRL Wheelchair World Rankings
Jun
2020		Dec
2021		Jun
2022		Dec
2022		Jun
2023		Dec
2023		Jun
2024		Dec
2024		Jun
2025
Ranking56 (Red Arrow Down.svg1)4 (Green Arrow Up Darker.svg2)5 (Red Arrow Down.svg1)554 (Green Arrow Up Darker.svg1)3 (Green Arrow Up Darker.svg1)3
References [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67]

Honours

Notes

  1. ↑ Ireland score given first

References

  1. 1 2 "Wheelchair Celtic Cup preview". European Rugby League. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: Wheelchair". International Rugby League. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "England win Wheelchair Four Nations". European Rugby League. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2012". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hull hosts Wheelchair Rugby League 4 Nations". European Rugby League. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Wheelchair World Cup". rugbyleague.wales. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2014". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Scotland 48–80 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "Celtic Cup". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Wales set sights on sixth straight Celtic Cup". Everything Rugby League. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2015". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  12. ↑ "Ireland seal third–place at Wheelchair Rugby League European Championships". The Irish Post. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Exiles Wheelchair 62v24 SCOT Wheelchair". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  14. ↑ Pavitt, Michael (7 March 2022). "Ireland replace Norway in Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup line-up". Inside the Games. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "Awesome Australia soar past Ireland". RLWC2021. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 "England Wheelchair 121-0 Ireland Wheelchair". RLWC2021. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  17. ↑ "Wheelchair Celtic Cup 2024 Heads to Ireland". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 "Ireland 68 v 32 Wales". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 "Ireland retain Wheelchair Celtic Cup". International Rugby League. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "Scotland Wheelchair Fixtures and Results". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  21. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  22. ↑ "The Wheelchair Rugby League Celtic Cup returns to Scotland". Scotland Rugby League. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  23. ↑ "Ireland 34–34 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  24. ↑ "Wales 44–4 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "Ireland 14–8 Scotland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2014". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "Scotland 28–52 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  28. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2015". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  29. ↑ "Ireland 48–80 France". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  30. ↑ "Ireland 16–66 England". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  31. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2016". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  32. ↑ "IRE Wheelchair 58v58 SCOT Wheelchair". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  33. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2016". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  34. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2017". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2017". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2018". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  37. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2018". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  38. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2019". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  39. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2019". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  40. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2021". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  41. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2021". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  42. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2022". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  43. 1 2 "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2022". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  44. ↑ "Spain 55–32 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  45. ↑ "Australia 76–18 Ireland". European Rugby League. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  46. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2023". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  47. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2023". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  48. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2024". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  49. ↑ "Ireland 68 v 34 Scotland". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  50. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2024". Wales Rugby League. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  51. ↑ "Para Rugby XIII – France vs Irlande : 62 – 20". FFRXIII (in French). 21 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  52. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2025". Scotland Rugby League. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  53. ↑ "Wheelchair Fixtures: 2025". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  54. ↑ "Inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Rankings revealed". RFL. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  55. ↑ "Serbia move into Top 10 in men's world rankings". IRL. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  56. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022.
  57. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: Tonga continue rise as rivals close gap on Jillaroos, France". IRL. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022.
  58. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022.
  59. ↑ "Explainer: Wheelchair IRL World Rankings (Dec 2022)". IRL. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023.
  60. ↑ "Serbia, Philippines, Wales big movers in IRL World Rankings". IRL. 27 July 2025. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  61. ↑ "Kangaroos still ranked No.1 despite record loss to Kiwis". NRL. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  62. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024.
  63. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: June 30, 2024". IRL. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  64. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: December 2024". IRL. 19 December 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  65. ↑ "World Rankings Updated". ERL. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  66. ↑ "World Rankings: Wheelchair". IRL. Archived from the original on 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  67. ↑ "IRL World Rankings: June 30, 2025". IRL. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
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