IRELAND ARE on course for a place in next year's World Cup, according to the Rugby Football League's technical director, Joe Lydon.

The former Wigan and Great Britain centre was in Every, a suburb of Paris, on Tuesday night as the Irish drew 30-30 with France in their first full international.

And Lydon was full of praise for Steve O'Neill's men, who fought back from a 10 point deficit late in the game to earn a share of the spoils.

"This was a superb result for Ireland and showed the great strides being made within our game," said Lydon.

"Despite one or two injury problems, they were able to put out a strong side, and I hope that they, will go on from here and continue to get stronger so that they will be able to play a full part in next year's World Cup.

A decision has yet to be made about whether the Rugby League will send a Great Britain team to Australia for the 1998 World Cup, or whether they will repeat their 1995 exercise of fielding individual home nations.

England and Wales took part in the last World Cup, with Ireland participating in the accompanying emerging nations competition.

O'Neill, the assistant coach at Salford Reds, has called for more fixtures for the fledgling Ireland side, and he has long term hopes for a Five Nations tournament.

He will assess the prospects of Scotland when they play France in Glasgow on July 9th.

Meanwhile, Super League champions St Helens are anxiously awaiting news of stand off Tommy Martyn, who picked up a knee injury in the international.

Martyn, Lance Todd trophy winner at Wembley 10 days ago, continued his rich vein of form with two tries in a man of the match display on his Irish debut before twisting his right knee.