Former Widnes hooker Phil Cantillon will captain Ireland on his international debut in the opening game of the European Nations Rugby League Cup against Scotland in Glasgow on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Cantillon, who signed for relegated Halifax this week after four seasons at Widnes, qualifies for Ireland through his Tipperary-born grandfather.
He said: "It is a real honour to be asked to captain Ireland and it will be a really proud moment for me and my family when I lead the side out." The team includes six survivors from Ireland's last international France in 2001 and Cantillon is one of seven new caps.
The other debutants will be Phil Farrell, 21-year-old brother of Great Britain captain Andrew, and two of his Oldham team-mates, Lee Doran and Neil Roden, plus Barrow's James King, Dean Gaskell, of Warrington, and Wakefield's Paul Handforth.
"We have come together well in the past couple of days and there is a real enthusiasm from all the lads to do the best we can," said Cantillon, who will also lead the side against France at Dalymount Park, Dublin, on Saturday, November 1st.
"We have some talented, young blokes in the squad who will thrive on the chance to play international rugby and I'm sure it will be an experience we will all remember."
The team: F Cummins (Leeds), R Smyth (Warrington), A Stewart (St Helens), L Doran (Oldham), D Gaskell (Warrington); P Handforth (Wakefield), N Roden (Oldham); R Marshall (London), P Cantillon (Halifax, capt), M Slicker (Huddersfield), J King (Barrow), P Farrell (Oldham), S McMenemy (Hull). Subs: T Gallagher (Leeds), D Bates (Gateshead), K Fitzpatrick (Salford), C Maye (St Helens).