Ireland break new ground at Thomond Park

Ireland will make history tomorrow when they host France in the first rugby league match to be held at the rugby union stronghold of Thomond Park in Limerick.

The international will bring down the curtain on the 2011 European Championship, with Ireland looking for their first win in five meetings with the French to leave all three teams tied on two points.

A French victory would enable them to be crowned champions following their 46-10 win over Scotland in Perpignan last Saturday, and go some way to making up for their agonising defeat by Wales a year ago.

Ireland, who drew 30-30 with France in 1997, have Paul Handforth, Kyle Amor and James Haley back after missing the 30-6 defeat to Wales in Neath a fortnight ago.

“We’re capable of what people will probably say is a shock against France,” said Mark Aston, who is still looking for his first win as Ireland coach.

France coach Bobbie Goulding will again rely heavily on players from Catalan Dragons.

Ireland (from): P Barcoe (Carlow), E Cosgrove (Dewsbury), L Finn, J Mulhern (both Featherstone), B Beswick, P Handforth, J Haley (all Halifax), G McNally (Huddersfield), L Ambler, C Casey (both Leeds), J Taylor (North Dublin), P Boyle (Oxford), T Bergin, P Smith (both Sheffield), I Cross, A McCloskey (both St Helens), G Corcoran (Toulouse), K Amor (Wakefield), T McCarthy (Warrington), S Carmody (York).

France (from): T Saddaoui (Carcassonne), O Elima (Bradford, capt), J-P Baile, J Baitieri, T Bosc, R Casty, V Duport, J Fakir, C Gossard, E Pellissier, M Simon, C Stacul, F Vaccari (all Catalan Dragons), K Bentley (Lezignan), D Chisholm (Melbourne), J Bousequet, D Cardace, M Pala (St Esteve-XIII Catalans), O Arnaud (Avignon).