Ireland captain George King will be reunited with his brother Toby in the Irish rugby league squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
The King brothers from Huddersfield are eligible for Ireland through relatives on their mother’s side with Hull KR prop George, 27, racking up 10 caps and representing his country at the 2017 World Cup.
Centre Toby, 26, made a try-scoring debut in 2016 alongside his older brother in the convincing win over Russia that booked Ireland’s spot at the last World Cup, but he has not been seen since in the green jersey.
Injury scuppered Toby’s hopes of joining George Down Under five years ago and the new Wigan Warriors loanee at one stage looked to be heading for Shaun Wane’s England squad at this tournament after impressing with Warrington and the England Knights only for injury and the pandemic to intervene.
Paralympics: Complete day-by-day guide to the Irish athletes in action in Paris
Women’s Irish Open: Players to watch, TV details, tickets, transport and weather forecast
Aiden McGeady recalls mystifying expletive-laden text from Unai Emery
Was Rhasidat Adeleke unfairly denied an Olympic bronze medal in Paris?
“It’s really good to have Toby in the squad, it’s always nice having your brother by your side,” explained George.
“When he made his debut for Ireland against Russia that was my second game and it really brought home that we could both play in a World Cup together and now we’ve got to that stage.”
The Kings are a tight-knit bunch with George and Toby separated by just 16 months and they first experienced life as teammates at local side Meltham All Blacks when they were still at primary school.
The duo can also call upon elder brother Adam – who George previously dubbed “the smart one” and who plays his rugby league for amateur side London Chargers – for support along with their parents as they prepare to run out together against Jamaica at Headingley on Sunday.
And while much has been made about eligibility with several top stars from the National Rugby League Down Under under turning their back on Australia and New Zealand to represent Pacific Island nations, George has no doubts about where anyone’s allegiance lies.
“I can’t wait to represent the whole nation and put on the shirt,” explained George. “With the way rugby league is and the dynamics, some players flip between nations and whether you agree with it or not, that’s the case.
“I love that I’m playing for this country, I try and visit at least two or three times a year, I just love it to bits. My brother is raring to go and just as passionate about Ireland.
“People normally like a story where we bicker at each other but we’re far from it. We really get on and give ourselves positives and negatives every game where we can both improve. I’ve been fortunate to play with my brother in junior and senior ranks and even at Huddersfield and at Warrington as well.”
With the likes of three-time NRL champion Luke Keary and Leeds Rhinos’ beaten Super League grand finalists Richie Myler and James Bentley in the squad, Ireland have reason to be optimistic about their chances of progressing from Group C – with games against Lebanon and New Zealand to follow this weekend’s opener – and making the quarter-finals as they did in 2000 and 2008.
Leading them into those matches is Ged Corcoran, the national side’s first Irish-born coach who served as assistant in 2013 and 2017 having played in 2008 before graduating through the staff ranks. He replaced Stuart Littler in April.
“What Ged’s done for Rugby League Ireland is unbelievable,” said George. “Everything from being the water boy, physio – he’s done it all. It’s rightly so that he gets the [main] job going into the World Cup.
“Ged’s managerial skills and his ability to bring players together is really good. We’ve had a good few days training and we’re really ready now for the first Test.”
Ireland group fixtures at the Rugby League World Cup 2022
October 16th: Jamaica vs Ireland, 5pm, Headingley, Stadium, Leeds
October 23rd: Lebanon vs Ireland, 2.30pm, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh
October 28th: New Zealand vs Ireland, 7.30pm, Headingley Stadium, Leeds
Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets
