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Rugby League Ireland

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Rugby League Ireland
Rugby League Ireland logo
Founded1988
IRL affiliation2000
ERL affiliation2003 (Full member)
ResponsibilityRepublic of Ireland, Northern Ireland
HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
Key peopleJim Reynolds (Chair)
CompetitionsRLI Premiership
RLI Women's Premiership
Websitehttp://www.rli.ie/
As of 30 July 2023

Rugby League Ireland (RLI) is the internationally recognised governing body for the development of rugby league football in Ireland,[1] having secured official recognition from the RLIF in 2000. It is recognised within the Irish Sports Council and took over the running of the Irish international team entirely in 2008 for the World Cup. Prior to 2001 RLI was known as Ireland Rugby League.[2]

In 2024, the body was downgraded to affiliate member due to noncompliance with the full membership criteria.[3][4]

Flag

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Four Provinces Flag of Ireland

The Irish rugby league team draws its players from across the Island of Ireland. At the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, the Ireland team entered the field of play at the beginning of their matches with the Four Provinces Flag of Ireland.[5]

National team

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Main article: Ireland national rugby league team

The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the 'Wolfhounds', represents Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organised by Rugby League Ireland. The representative team is dominated by players from the Super League and sometimes includes players from the Australasian National Rugby League. Ireland is also represented by Ireland A, an amateur side which is made up of players from the domestic Irish competition.

Since Ireland began competing in international rugby league in 1995, it has participated in the 1995 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament, the 1996 Super League World Nines, and four Rugby League World Cups – 2000, 2008. 2013, and 2017. They have also competed in the Rugby League European Nations Cup and Victory Cup. Ireland A compete annually in the St Patrick's Day Challenge in the Amateur Four Nations.

Competitions

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As of 2024 Rugby League Ireland run two domestic club competitions:

The RLI Championship (men's second tier) is not currently in operation.

References

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  1. ^ Hickey, Julia (2006). Understanding Rugby League. UK: Coachwise. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-905540-10-5. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  2. ^ "History was made on the 14th May! – Rugby League Ireland". Archived from the original on 24 January 2010.
  3. ^ "International Rugby League Membership: Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Scotland reclassified". Rugby League International Federation. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Scotland & Ireland see 2026 Rugby League World Cup qualification hopes ended". 15 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Rugby League Ireland". Retrieved 8 July 2019.
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