Ireland set up 2015 Rugby League dates

Ireland have announced a series of ground-breaking internationals for 2015.

The games against developing nations Belgium, Serbia and Malta will count as full internationals for Ireland's players in the build-up to the end-of-year European Championship.

The Belgians, coached by former Leigh, Oldham and Oxford boss Tony Benson, will provide Ireland’s first opponents in Leinster on Sunday, July 13, and that will be followed by trips to Serbia on August 29 and Malta on September 5.

“These games will help develop our local players and prepare them to step up to the European Championship games in the autumn,” said a Rugby League Ireland spokesman.