OLDHAM’s Riley Dean and Pat Moran have been included in Ireland’s extended training squad, ahead of their match against Scotland on October 27, writes Kasey Smith.

If selected to play, it would be half-back Dean’s first time representing Ireland and Moran’s third appearance, adding to the two caps he gained in 2019.

22-year-old Dean joined Roughyeds in July from Australian side Mackay Cutters on a deal lasting until the end of the 2026 season.

The former Warrington man made four appearances for Oldham and played his part in helping the club to their first league title in nearly ten years.

Pat Moran made his international debut in a 42-8 win over Spain in 2019 which was followed by a 25-4 victory over Italy where the 26-year-old scored two tries.

This season, Warrington academy product Moran made 14 appearances in Oldham’s title-winning campaign and cemented a spot at loose-forward in Sean Long’s squad at the back end of the year.

He scored all three of his tries in the 2024 season during Roughyeds’ dominant 60-6 victory over Newcastle Thunder.

Also included in the initial squad are a number of former Roughyeds players in Michael Ward, Zack McComb and Louis Senior.

Despite the next World Cup around the corner, neither nation is eligible to qualify for the tournament.

Both Ireland and Scotland competed in the 2022 re-scheduled World Cup but have since seen their membership status downgraded to ‘affiliate’ level by governing body IRL (International Rugby League).

The IRL have ruled that both nations have been non-compliant in terms of their membership for up to five years, and thus, they have lost the chance to compete in the next World Cup in 2026.

The game on October 27 (Saturday) will take place at the Gateshead International Stadium, 2pm kick off.

Ticket details and full squad lists can be found on the respective nations’ social media pages.