Brothers Toby and George King named in Ireland squad

Brothers Toby and George King, who helped Warrington clinch the league leaders' shield, have been named in Ireland's train-on squad for their 2017 World Cup qualifiers.

They are joined in coach Mark Aston's 40-strong squad by Wolves team-mate Joe Philbin and Salford half-back Gareth O'Brien for the European Pool B fixtures against Russia and Spain in October.

Former Salford centre Stuart Littler has been included for what would be his rugby league swansong ahead of retirement and there are 15 players from the Irish domestic competition, including Conor Mackey and Alan McMahon from champions Galway Tribesmen.

RL Ireland director Richard Egan said: "Having been a part of the World Cup since 2000, RLI knows what a great spectacle the tournament is and what a fantastic experience it is for the players and squad members.

"We hope that qualification in 2017 will increase exposure in Ireland and further engagement by the local media to help us continue the development we have been working so hard to achieve."

Ireland squad: O Burekama, G Gill, P James, C Phillips (Ballynahinch Rabbitohs), A Boyce, S Boyd, C Hall, M McKelvey (Belfast Met Scholars), J Keyes (Bradford), H Peacock (Carcassonne), R Armstrong (Cork Bulls), J Kelly, M Russell (Dublin City Exiles), C Roche (Featherstone), C Mackey, A McMahon (Galway Tribesmen), L Ambler (Halifax), S Grix, G Ormsby, O Roberts (Huddersfield), M Cahoon, J Hyltan (Ireland Students), B Beswick, G McNally (Leigh), C Dunne, W Kerr (Longhorns RL), W Hope, M Ward (Oldham), J Hasson (Parramatta), A Docherty (Portadown Pumas), D Bridge (Redcliffe Dolphins), G O'Brien (Salford), S McDonnell (St Helens), S Littler (Swinton), L Finn (Wakefield), G King, T King, J Philbin (Warrington), D Allen (Whitehaven), J Higginson (Wigan).