Ireland coach Andy Kelly has included six players from Widnes Vikings in his initial 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Lebanon.

They include veteran former Great Britain second rower Mick Cassidy.

Ireland play Russia in Moscow on 22 October followed by the visit of Lebanon to Dublin on 5 November.

The group fixtures are reversed in 2007, with the winners going through to the 2008 World Cup in Australia and the runners-up facing a play-off.

---

Ireland: M McLoughlin (Batley), M Gambles (Blackpool), T Haughey (Castleford), A Stewart (Harlequins), G Corcoran (Oldham), P Cantillon (Rochdale), S Littler, G Haggerty (both Salford), C Bridge (Warrington), M Cassidy, B Beswick, D Allen, R Tandy, J Coyle, G Dodd (all Widnes), D Bates (York), P McNicholas (unattached), L Hutchinson (Barrow), S Grix (Leigh), E Roberts (Kildare Dragons), S Nolan (Dublin City Exiles), S Gibbons, W Kerr (both Carlow Crusaders), A Robinson (Coventry Bears), B Treacy (Treaty City Titans).