Kelly names six Vikings

Ireland coach Andy Kelly has included six players from Widnes Vikings in his provisional 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Russia and Lebanon.

They include veteran former Great Britain second rower Mick Cassidy, who missed last year’s European Championship because of injury.

Ireland will play their first match against Russia in Moscow on Sunday, October 22, followed by the visit of Lebanon to Dublin on Sunday, November 5.

The group fixtures are reversed in 2007, with the winners going through to the 2008 World Cup in Australia and the runners-up facing a play-off.

Squad: M McLoughlin (Batley), M Gambles (Blackpool), T Haughey (Castleford), A Stewart (Harlequins), G Corcoran (Oldham), P Cantillon (Rochdale), S Littler, G Haggerty (both Salford), C Bridge (Warrington), M Cassidy, B Beswick, D Allen, R Tandy, J Coyle, G Dodd (all Widnes), D Bates (York), P McNicholas (unattached), L Hutchinson (Barrow), S Grix (Leigh), E Roberts (Kildare Dragons), S Nolan (Dublin City Exiles), S Gibbons, W Kerr (both Carlow Crusaders), A Robinson (Coventry Bears), B Treacy (Treaty City Titans).