Ireland have called local youngster Matty Hadden into their World Cup squad as coach Mark Aston steps up preparations for their opening game against Fiji.

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

IRELAND coach Andy Kelly has included 13 Super League players in his 30-man training squad for next month’s Alitalia European Cup. The contingent is headed by prop Eamon O’Carroll and hooker Mick McIlorum but Warriors team-mate Pat Richards, one of Ireland’s heroes from their 2008 World Cup campaign, is not available.

Former Wigan forward Mick Cassidy, who played for England in the 1995 World Cup, will bridge a 13-year gap when he represents Ireland in this year’s Rugby League tournament in Australia.